HC Deb 24 November 1975 vol 901 cc76-7W
Mr. Hooson

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total cost to public funds of the visit arranged by the Development Corporation for Wales to New York for the Wales Week in New York; how many persons in all comprised the team; and whether he will arrange to publish, in due course, an analysis in real terms of the results of the visit;

(2) what was the total cost to the Welsh Office of the "Week in New York"; whether his office was consulted by the Development Corporation for Wales as to the choice of dates for this event which occurred when, traditionally, the city of New York is on holiday; and what advice his office tendered on this subject.

Mr John Morris

The organisers arranged Wales Week in New York to coincide with the North-American Cymanfa Ganu. I used the opportunity to undertake investment promotion work in New York, Boston, Minneapolis and Chicago. There were five in my party, and, while some accounts are still outstanding, the total identifiable cost of their subsistence and travelling which would be met by the Welsh Office is estimated to be about £4,800. In the light of my discussions with industrialists and others I have no doubt that the visit was most valuable, although in the nature of things a precise evaluation of investment promotion work is never possible.