§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call a conference on Clwyd county council, Alyn and Deeside council and Deeside town and community councils with a view to discussing how 7,000 new jobs might be created on the derelict industrial land adjacent to Shotton steelworks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerClwyd has clearly benefited from the success of the Government's policies to revitalise industrial and economic performance in Wales. Unemployment in the county has fallen by 4,860 in the last 12 months. Regional aid approvals since January 1988 are associated with capital investment of £590 million, including £200 million inward investment, forecasting some 11,300 new jobs.
I am confident that this progress will be maintained and I see no reason to convene a meeting along the lines proposed.