§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what considerations underlay his direction to the Welsh Development Agency to sell by auction 25 lots of land on 18 June. [33868]
§ Mr. HagueI have made no such direction. The agency will continue to provide quality sites and premises to new and expanding businesses in Wales and to inward investors. It is not the agency's role to be a long-term landlord; nor should it intervene where the market is capable of operating unaided. The current disposal programme is transferring ownership to the private sector and providing funds for the agency to re-invest in the Welsh economy, but the operational management of the programme is a matter for the agency.
§ Mr. SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on measures taken since 1979 by the Welsh Development Agency to improve the physical environment in Wales. [33867]
§ Mr. HagueThis is an operational matter for the Welsh Development Agency. I will arrange for the chief executive of the agency to write to the hon. Member and for a copy of his letter to be placed in the Library of the House.