§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has on the disruption being caused to development projects of small businesses in rural Wales arising from the suspension of the rural conversion grant scheme in February; if he has discussed this with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency with a view to re-establishing the scheme; if he will make available to the Welsh Development Agency the necessary finance to enable them to meet their obligations under this scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe Welsh Development Agency has earmarked £3 million to the rural conversion grant programme over the next three years, sufficient to stimulate nearly 1,200 new jobs. The record resources allocated by the agency to conversion grants in the current financial year, broadly double the amount available in 1987–88, are fully taken up, though payment in relation to new schemes will commence in April. The impact on the development of small businesses in rural Wales of the slight delay in payments is therefore minimal.