HC Deb 15 January 1997 vol 288 cc293-4W
Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the annual operating costs of the Cardiff Bay barrage; and what proposals he has discussed with the chairman of the Cardiff Bay development corporation and the two riparian local authorities concerning the sharing of those costs after the winding up of the corporation. [9957]

Mr. Hague

None. The corporation has not yet provided a detailed estimate of the operating costs of the barrage beyond December 1999; but will do so later this year, following completion of the wind-up consultation exercise and consideration of a management company option.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the estimated cost to public funds of(a) completing the construction of the Cardiff Bay barrage and (b) dismantling and removing the superstructure and foundations already in place and returning the site to the condition which obtained before construction commenced; and if he will make a statement. [10723]

Mr. Hague

The barrage contracts are operational matters for the corporation; I will ask the chief executive to write to the hon. Member and will arrange for a copy of his response to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Elletson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what targets the Welsh Office has set for attracting inward investment and jobs to Cardiff by 2000; and what assessment he has made of the effect a failure to complete the construction of the Cardiff bay barrage would have on the ability of the region to meet those targets. [10722]

Mr. Hague

I have not set any specific inward investment or job creation targets for Cardiff or for Cardiff bay. I have noted that the targets set by the development corporation in its corporate plan are to provide by the year 2000 around £1 billion private sector investment and 15,000 new jobs. The barrage is a key component in the corporation's regeneration strategy and is expected to be completed in 1998.