Training and Enterprise

HC Deb 29 April 1996 vol 276 cc391-2W

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on training and enterprise in north Wales. [26829]

Mr. Richards

Extra-ordinary general meetings of the North East Wales and North West Wales training and enterprise councils were held on 9 April where it was agreed to create, through merger, a single TEC for the north Wales area.

In proposing the merger, the TECs consider that the long-term economic needs of north Wales would be best served by one organisation assuming responsibility for the delivery of training and enterprise support for local people and businesses across the whole of the area.

The merger is planned to take effect in April 1997. However, this will depend on a decision to be taken by the Welsh Office nearer the time on whether the proposed TEC is a suitable body to contract with for the delivery of the Government's training and enterprise programmes in north Wales. This decision will be taken in the light of the new organisation's memorandum and articles of association and its draft corporate and business plan—for 1997–98 and beyond—when these documents have been produced, consulted on as appropriate and submitted to the Department.