§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether, in view of the severe loss of rate income which the proposed Shotton steel closure is likely to cause, he will indicate the amount of
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§ Mr. PattieThe available information in respect of applications to the RN and RAF is as follows:
financial compensation he will give to the Alyn and Deeside and Clwyd county councils; if he will list the estimated loss of rateable value to the local authorities consequent upon the steel closure; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if, in view of the proposed closure of iron and steelmaking at the British Steel Corporation Shotton works, he will take steps to mitigate public expenditure cuts in the schools and social services in Clwyd.
(3) if he will seek to provide extra compensatory financial help to the county authority of Clwyd, and the Deeside local authorities in Delyn borough and Alyn-Deeside to enable them to protect the Deeside travel-to-work area from the expected and social consequences of the steel closures; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI refer the hon. Member to my statement of 13 November. It is estimated that the loss of rateable value could be around two-thirds of the total value of the Shotton works, which is currently about £2.5 million. The rate support grant will, of course, automatically adjust to reflect this change in rateable value in due course. My judgment is that we should concentrate public expenditure on the creation of infrastructure and new factories in the area affected by the steel closure.