§ 27. Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely effect on Welsh industry of the recent rises in interest rates.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe impact of high interest rates in other parts of the United Kingdom may well make firms 433W carefully consider their overhead costs and take advantage of the very positive regional policies that are being pursued in Wales. I am much encouraged that the regional assistance offers made in 1988 provide the promise of 31,500 new jobs, and inward investment in 1988 has been at an all-time high, promising 13,600 jobs.