HC Deb 03 December 1997 vol 302 cc343-4
5. Mr. Hanson

How many jobs have been announced by inward investors in Wales since January 1996. [17474]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain)

Since January 1996, the Welsh Development Agency has recorded inward investment projects which promise 21,678 new jobs and 6,890 safeguarded jobs.

Mr. Hanson

Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming inward investment since the general election in Flintshire, in Wrexham and throughout Wales, which has been proved a tremendous success for our local economy? Will he take it from me that Labour's positive attitude in Europe has helped inward investment, while our policies on a minimum wage, on devolution and the social chapter have not proved the deterrents that Opposition Members believe them to be?

Mr. Hain

Indeed, as the record of inward investment since the general election shows, the debate on this matter has been divorced from reality. The real competition is not internal, with the rest of Britain, but external, with the rest of Europe. I invite those critics, including Conservatives, to join the Government and the Welsh Development Agency in batting for Britain instead of seeking to promote a squabble within Britain.

Mr. Bercow

Does the Minister believe that 60 additional politicians in a Welsh Assembly will help to bring a single inward investment project to Britain that would not in any case have been secured?

Mr. Hain

The answer is yes, and the people of Wales—and Welsh business—agree with the Government in that answer. The Welsh Development Agency and Welsh business, including the CBI, wants an Assembly to give Wales a platform and a voice in Europe and internationally, to win jobs for Wales.

Mr. Rowlands

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the most important sources for inward investment has been south-east Asia? Given the economic problems arising in south-east Asia, will my right hon. and hon. Friends take time to try to safeguard the investments that are vital to jobs in all our communities?

Mr. Hain

The answer is yes. The developments in south-east Asia have been extremely troubling and we are taking every action that is needed.

Mr. Evans

Britain has always done well out of inward investment and Wales has done especially well, attracting into the Principality one fifth of inward investment. However, has the Minister estimated how many extra inward investment projects will need to come about to make up for the loss of jobs in Welsh farming? Irrespective of what he and the Secretary of State for Wales say, many jobs will be lost. One commentator says that Welsh farming is bleeding to death. That is a result of the policies of the Minister and of the Government; high interest rates are sucking in cheap imports. With their policies, the Minister and the Government are helping to kill off Welsh farming. What are they going to do about it?

Mr. Hain

The Conservatives attacked Welsh farmers year after year. They failed to deal with the BSE crisis and to provide a platform for Welsh fanning. We are dealing with the consequences of their dreadful and shameful record.

Mr. öpik

Does the Minister agree that the agricultural elements of Wales are suffering desperately due to the Conservative legacy of BSE and the export ban? Does he further agree that the Government must now reinstate proper funding and finance to reinvest in the ailing agricultural industry in Wales?

Mr. Hain

Much of what the hon. Gentleman said is right. That is why my right hon. Friend is meeting the farmers' leaders this afternoon to discuss their concerns and to see whether we can find a way forward.