§ 20. Mr. SweeneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received from the Confederation of British Industry in Wales about the outlook for business in Wales.
§ Mr. David HuntI met representatives of the CBI in Wales on 1 June. I was very pleased that the CBI's latest monthly survey shows 46 per cent. of firms in Wales expecting to show an increase in output during the next quarter. This is an increase on the 34 per cent. showing an improvement in orders recorded in the four months to April and it is all the more significant when compared to figures for the UK as a whole of 31 per cent. and 22 per cent. respectively. This is extremely encouraging for the business community in Wales and is further evidence that Wales can lead the UK out of recession.