§ Mr. Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many jobs he expects will be lost in the area of the Colwyn Borough Council during the course of, and in consequence of, the construction of the North Wales Expressway on the route that he has recently decided upon;
(2) whether, in view of the probable further increase in local unemployment in the area of the Colwyn Borough Council in the event of the North Wales Expressway being constructed on the route recently decided upon by him, he will favourably consider, as a matter of urgency, the extension of development area status to the whole of the Council's area.
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe Secretary of State for Industry is responsible for assisted area boundaries. The construction of the North Wales coast road should not result in any significant job losses in Colwyn Bay. I expect the expenditure of some £48 million on the Llandulas-Glan Conwy section to improve immediate job opportunities in the construction industry and supporting services. In the longer term this important new road should greatly improve economic prospects in this part of Wales.