§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from the West Glamorgan and the North East Wales training and enterprise councils requesting approval for an expenditure from accumulated surpluses on TEC headquarters buildings; if he will issue guidelines on capital expenditure financed from accumulated surpluses on accommodation; if he will make it his policy to cap expenditure on office accommodation by TECs in excess of own requirements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsTECs are required to seek my approval for all expenditure including the use of operating surpluses. To date only one major capital expenditure project, the North East Wales TEC business development centre, has been approved. TEC proposals are considered on their merit in support of local economic development but the normal criteria governing expenditure on capital projects are applied.