HC Deb 09 March 1998 vol 308 c34W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the latest CBI Wales "Industrial Trends" Report. [33284]

Mr. Hain

In the CBI Wales January Quarterly Industrial Trends survey, Welsh manufacturers reported a less sharp fall in general business optimism than was the case in the UK as a whole. Similarly, there was a moderate fall in orders, which are expected to pick up during the present quarter.