HC Deb 16 March 1994 vol 239 cc697-8W
Mr. Richards

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what decision he has reached on the proposal to establish a Welsh Economic Council.

Mr. Redwood

I have carefully considered the responses to the Government's consultation paper on this proposal and have decided to proceed with the establishment of a Welsh Economic Council.

The Welsh Economic Council, which will be classified as an advisory non-departmental public body, will provide a forum for discussing with wealth-creators and interest groups the economic and industrial progress of Wales. Its role will be to advise on areas like improvements in training and education and to discuss how to boost enterprise, jobs and development further.

The council will comprise between 10 and 20 members from the private and public sectors, appointed by me on an individual, rather than representational, basis. It will usually meet no more than three times a year, with the first meeting to be held on Wednesday 30 March.