HC Deb 07 July 1999 vol 334 cc571-2W
19. Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his plans to encourage structural change in economic activity in Wales. [88541]

Mr. Hain

As Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales I had responsibility for this matter until 1 July.

We continued to pursue the objectives identified in Pathway to Prosperity-our new economic agenda for Wales. We asked the Welsh Development Agency to develop a Wales Entrepreneurship Action Plan; we strengthened Business Connect; established the Rural Partnership; made RSA more accessible, improved the flow of capital and advisory services to companies. Our aim in doing all this was to encourage and support more growth and development in existing companies and create more new enterprises.

Since last Thursday these responsibilities have passed to the National Assembly for Wales.