§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is going to take to promote rural improvement in Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe development of rural areas in Wales will continue to be supported in every way possible—for example, by the work of the Development Board for Rural Wales in Mid-Wales, the Welsh Development Agency and the Wales Tourist Board. Selective financial assistance can be made available to eligible projects in the rural parts of the assisted areas. In addition, agriculture benefits from a comprehensive system of support. I keep the various mechanisms for providing assistance uner continual review. My officials are currently in discussion with the Commission on ways in which assistance from the European regional development fund could be made available to areas of mid-Wales on the basis of the scheme of aid announced on 28 June 1982.