§ Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he had during his recent visit to the European Economic Community Commission about the future of integrated operations in South Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsDuring my visit to Brussels on 21 October I discussed with European Community Commissioners progress on the possibility of designating industrial South Wales as an integrated operations area. This followed the submission by the Welsh Office in June 1980 of a pilot study for discussion with the Commission.
Commissioner Giolitti told me that no additional resources were available for expenditure in integrated 57W operations areas. The Commission saw integrated operations as a means of implementing the existing Community aids in a more coherent and concerted manner in specific areas with serious economic problems, and felt that accordingly there would be advantage in their continuing to explore how the application of such aids could be more effectively co-ordinated.
I took note and look forward to further discussions with the Commission so far as South Wales is concerned, based on the preparatory work already put to the Commission. In the meantime, my Department will be working to ensure that Wales continues to derive the maximum benefit from the Community.