§ 8. Mr. Bill Wiggin (Leominster)What proportion of jobs in Wales are in the public sector. [129543]
§ The Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Peter Hain)The most recent data from the labour force survey show that one third of jobs in Wales are in the public sector.
§ Mr. WigginSo why is that not making any difference?
§ Mr. HainIt is making a difference. The increase in employment in Wales last year—78,000—was the largest of any UK region. In the three months to July, Wales was once again among Britain's top-performing regions in terms of private sector output growth, according to the chief economist for the Royal Bank of Scotland.
§ Mr. Huw Edwards (Monmouth)Is my right hon. Friend aware that 256 public sector jobs are in the forensic science laboratory in Chepstow? Those public servants provide a superb service to the Dyfed-Powys and South Wales police forces. However, staff are seriously worried about possible privatisation plans. Is my right hon. Friend willing to meet staff representatives to discuss the matter?
§ Mr. HainI should be happy to meet my hon. Friend's constituents. However, I point out to the House that implementation of the Tory policy of 20 per cent. across-the-board cuts would mean that jobs such as those that my hon. Friend has described and other public sector jobs elsewhere in Wales would be savaged.