§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning the preparation of alternative scenarios for 1997–98 funding; if he will give the percentage reductions relative to preferred budget estimates which he has requested the agency to prepare; and what estimates the agency has given of the impact of those alternative budget strategies on its level of operations in 1997–98 and 1998–99. [1963]
§ Mr. HagueMy 1966 strategic guidance letter asked the agency to prepare a corporate plan based on 80, 100 and 120 per cent. of the 1996–97 baseline expenditure of 295W £126.8 million. The agency prepared its plan on this basis and included other funding options. I met the chairman and the board on 2 October to discuss the plan.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency in relation to the recent agency appointment of a part-time business adviser in Japan to help expand market opportunities for Welsh small and medium-sized enterprises. [1959]