§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency concerning his recent inward investment mission to Japan, Australia and the United States of America; what was the total cost of the mission; how many firms with prospects of investment in Wales were visited on each leg of the mission; what was the additional cost to the agency of the participation by Mr. Simon Cohen of Lowe Bell; why the company visit scheduled for the United States leg of the mission was cancelled; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntI have frequent meetings with the chairman of the Welsh Development Agency to discuss a range of matters, including inward investment. The matters raised are the responsibility of the agency. I understand, however, that the total cost of the mission was approximately £28,000. Fourteen individual companies were visited and group discussions with companies were held on nine occasions. I understand that the cost of Mr. Shimon Cohen's participation was £7,500, and that the proposed company visit in Los Angeles could not go ahead because senior staff in the company were no longer available.