§ Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many advance factories have been erected in Wales, in the county of south Glamorgan and in the area of the Vale of Glamorgan, respectively, from 1979 to the 357W latest convenient date; how many are planned for completion during the next two years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsIn the period May 1979 to November 1984 inclusive, the Welsh Development Agency, Development Board for Rural Wales and Cwmbran Development Corporation have built a total of 1,400 advance factories in Wales. Of this number the WDA constructed 117 units in the county of South Glamorgan and 33 units in the Vale of Glamorgan. It is not possible to forecast accurately the number of advance factories that may be provided over the next two years. However, at present the three bodies together have a total of 250 advance units that are either being built or have been approved for construction in Wales.
These figures do not include local authority or private sector factory provision. Advance factory building has made, and will continue to make, an important contribution to improving the industrial infrastructure of Wales and to the attraction of new industries and employment opportunities.