HC Deb 27 June 1997 vol 296 cc650-1W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with(a) the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency and (b) the chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales, with regard to the strategy each is adopting for the fibre-optic cabling of Wales; what assistance he has made of the compatibility of the strategies of the two bodies; and if he will make a statement. [5819]

Mr. Hain

Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have as yet met the Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency or the Chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales to discuss the specific issues referred to.

Both bodies are however working alongside the Department in an effort to ensure that all areas of Wales have access to modern telecommunications infrastructure.

The hon. Member raised the issue of broadband telecommunications in Wales during the adjournment debate on 18 June 1997, and I undertook to write to him fully on the matter. I shall be doing so shortly and will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that the establishment of fibre-optic cable links with Ireland gives rise to similar links to north-west Wales; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy for extending cable links to the rural areas of Wales. [5818]

Mr. Hain

I am concerned to ensure that all areas of Wales benefit from a good telecommunications infrastructure. However, the question of individual links is a matter for the telecommunications companies concerned.

I will write to the hon. Member on this matter and place a copy of my reply in the Library.