§ 12. Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest figure for male unemployment in Newport, Gwent and Wales in percentage terms.
§ Mr. RichardsIn December 1994, the unadjusted male unemployment rate in Newport travel-to-work-area was 11.7 per cent. of the work force. The rates in Gwent and Wales were both 12.1 per cent.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the Minister appreciate that Newport needs new jobs but not from Brown and Ferris, the American waste disposal company? Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate, too, that construction of the project is going ahead by stealth, and that the Secretary of State still has the power not to grant the company a licence? Will the Minister tell his right hon. Friend that, if he is so keen on the project, he should take it to his constituency of Wokingham?
§ Mr. RichardsAll this has been most carefully considered. It is not a matter for me at present. I remind 655 the hon. Gentleman that much good news has come to Newport recently, including 200 jobs to Electrotech from Thornbury and the 500 jobs that will come to Newport by 1997 from the Trustee Savings bank.
§ Mr. KnapmanWhy is it that the areas most addicted to socialism remain the poorest despite having most public money directed to them?
§ Mr. RichardsMy hon. Friend makes a valid point. We on the Government Benches always demand value for money. We want money well spent on the projects and policies for which it was intended. I have already given an example to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) of what I regard as a waste of money.