§ 23. Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the most recent figures for jobs in manufacturing in Wales. [151070]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyThe Government recognise that there have been major job losses but the latest available figures show that between autumn 1999 and autumn 2000 there were 14,500 new manufacturing jobs in Wales, 4,000 as a result of new openings and 10,500 through expansions at existing plants.
§ 30. Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on recent discussions he has had with the Treasury on resources for areas of Wales which have lost jobs in the manufacturing sector. [151077]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular discussions with my Cabinet colleagues, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, about a range of issues.
§ Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he will next meet the Engineering Employers Federation to discuss manufacturing in Wales. [151057]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI am in regular contact with a broad range of manufacturing representatives in Wales and have met representatives of the Engineering Employers' Federation.
Despite recent job losses in some sectors of manufacturing in Wales, the announcement of further investment by Ford at Bridgend, together with recent positive decisions on production in the UK by Toyota and Nissan, demonstrates confidence in the economic stability and favourable business environment this Government have established.