§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on co-operation between the Welsh Office and his Department in relation to the designation of enterprise zones; what is the average length of time the necessary procedures take; and if he will make a statement. [21975]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordEnterprise zones in Wales are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales. I am satisfied that there is full co-operation between my Department, other interested Government Departments and the Welsh Office in considering the case for designating further enterprise zones in Wales. The arrangements for establishing enterprise zones, including those for enforcing European Community restrictions on state aids, mean that zones now take at least two years to designate.