§ Q34. Dr. Marekasked the Prime Minister what special measures she intends to take to attract industry to East Clwyd as a result of the proposed closure of Courtaulds' works in the area.
§ The Prime MinisterEast Clwyd has been and continues to be an attractive location for companies. Since 1983 the Welsh Office has had 33 acceptances of regional selective assistance in the Wrexham travel-to-work area alone promising nearly 1,400 new jobs and safeguarding 1,200 existing jobs with an investment of £7 million. Recent major inward investment decisions to locate in Wrexham have been taken by the Japanese companies, Sharp and Brother. Other parts of Clwyd have also been successful in attracting new investment, most recently illustrated by Data Magnetic Ltd's decision announced on 1 May to locate its thin film disc facility on the Deeside industrial park, creating 250 new jobs. Proposals by the county council and the borough councils most directly affected by Courtaulds' proposed closures are being considered by the Welsh Office.