§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to notify the economic development non-departmental public bodies in Wales of his strategic guidance for 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [21651]
§ Mr. HagueI have written to the chairmen of the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales, Cardiff Bay development corporation, the Land Authority for Wales and the Wales tourist board, to inform them of many strategic targets and priorities for 1997–98. Copies of the letters have been placed in the Library of the House.
The targets I have set are demanding but will lead to private sector investment of over £700 million, the creation of over 10,000 jobs and the establishment of a network of strategic sites for further economic development throughout Wales. The majority of jobs to be created will be in those areas of highest unemployment, including the south Wales valleys and the west.