§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what extra provision he will be making to the local authorities to allow for the growth of population envisaged as a result of the Ford development at Waterton.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsThe calculation of the amount of rate support grant a local authority receives each year takes into account any increase or decrease in population.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether any investigation has been carried out into the socio-economic balance due to the Ford development at Waterton concerning wage structure, public transport infrastructure, health services, education and the integration of socio-economic groups.
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§ Mr. Michael RobertsThe Manpower Services Commission is undertaking a study into recruitment by the company and any displacement effect on the South Wales labour market.
Other aspects are taken into account in normal contacts with the local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what traffic flow projections are envisaged to show the additional flow of traffic through and circumventing the town of Bridgend as a result of the Ford development at Waterton.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe capacity of the trunk road between Bridgend and the site of the Ford factory at Waterton has been increased by the provision of a second carriageway. There will be further relief when the M4 Bridgend northern bypass is completed. No further traffic predictions or trunk road improvements are necessary. Other roads are the responsibility of the county council. I understand that Mid-Glamorgan county council is considering traffic management measures to deal with the extra traffic which will arise in Bridgend.
§ Mr. Ray Powellasked the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the total increase in employment directly or indirectly due to the Ford development at Waterton.
§ Mr. Michael RobertsIt is expected that there will be jobs for about 2,500 when the plant is fully operational. It is not possible to quantify indirect employment effects.