§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures he is taking to create jobs for unemployed craftsmen; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThe Welsh Office and agencies operate a range of measures to increase employment opportunities. Increasingly, these are being targeted on better quality opportunities which will improve employment prospects28W for skilled workers in engineering industries. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer included in his autumn statement a series of measures to promote recovery in the construction sector. As a result, an additional £38 million is available for housing in Wales in this financial year, of which I have allocated £35 million for spending by housing associations. I expect them to secure additional private finance of around £15 million, taking the total value of this initiative to about £50 million.