HC Deb 06 December 1993 vol 234 cc45-6W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the total expenditure by the Welsh Development Agency on rural areas and initiatives in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what is the projected expenditure in 1993–94;

(2) what are the total receipts to date of sales of Welsh Development Agency property in the current financial year;

(3) what proportion of the Welsh Development Agency's budget was allocated to rural areas and initiatives in 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93; and what is the projected proportion in 1993–94;

(4) which properties owned by the Welsh Development Agency have been sold in the current financial year; and which other properties are on the market;

(5) how many members of staff of the Welsh Development Agency are employed on implementing the agency's rural policies;

(6) what was the total annual rents charged on those properties sold by the Welsh Development Agency in the current year.

Mr. Redwood

I have arranged for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Gentleman and for a copy of his response to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from individuals and organisations in Wales on the rural policy of the Welsh Development Agency in the current financial year.

Mr. Redwood

None.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when the geographic boundaries of the Development Board for Rural Wales and the Welsh Development Agency were last reviewed.

Mr. Redwood

The position was reviewed at the time of the 1991 financial, management and policy review of the board.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which geographical areas in Wales are covered by the rural division of the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Redwood

The agency is responsible for all rural areas in Wales except for the county of Powys and the districts of Ceredigion in Dyfed and Meirionnydd in Gwynedd.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department last carried out a review of the rural policies of the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Redwood

The rural policies of the agency are a matter for the agency. They are kept under continual review.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation his Department has had with local authorities, employer representative organisations and the Welsh Trades Union Congress over the future role of rural policy within the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Redwood

None. The agency's programmes for rural areas are compatible with overall rural policy in Wales. In drawing up its programmes, the agency consults widely.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much, in cash and percentage terms, of the Welsh Development Agency's total income was derived from(a) grant in aid, (b) capital receipts and (c) current income in 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what are the projected figures for 1994–95.

Mr. Redwood

The figures are as follows:

1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 (plans)
(a) Grant in aid
Cash (£ million) 87.067 74.866 59.550
Per cent. 54.0 44.9 34.7
(b) Capital receipts
Cash (£ million) 38.280 59.050 83.900
Per cent. 23.7 35.4 48.9
(c) Current income
Cash (£ million) 31.406 31.999 25.950
Per cent. 19.4 19b.2 15.1

I will shortly be announcing the agency's budget for 1994–95.