§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many investigating accountants he has within his Department to evaluate applications for regional selective assistance; how many cases on average each of them has prepared for the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board to consider over the past two years; and how many cases each of them is on average expected to prepare over the next two years.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThere are currently four investigating accountants in my Department regularly engaged in evaluating applications for regional selective assistance. On average, each investigating accountant has prepared 47 cases over the last two years for consideration by the Welsh Industrial Development Advisory Board. The number of cases that each will prepare in the future will depend on the volume of RSA applications received, the amount of the grant sought and the complexity of the cases, and I am unable to give a precise estimate. I am expecting an increase in demand for RSA and will keep the requirements for accountancy staff under review.