§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many workers are expected to become redundant at (a) British Steel Corporation works at Port Talbot and (b) at Dupont works at Briton Ferry under plans announced to date; and what action is being taken by his Department to tackle the social and employment problems of the area.
§ Mr. John MorrisNo workers are expected to become redundant at Port Talbot under plans announced to date, although there will be some reductions 295W in the size of the work force when productivity schemes are introduced. The present proposals for the Dupont steel works at Briton Ferry are for closure over the next six to eight months. The total work force of 1,040 is expected to become redundant.
A wide range of Government measures is being deployed to meet social and employment problems. The area affected has special development area or development area status. The Welsh Development Agency has 10 advance factories, totalling 72,000 sq. ft., under construction or planned in the Neath-Swansea area. I am now considering the next factory building programme for Wales.