§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs have been created or safeguarded in Wales through assistance from public funding in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; what is the estimated number for 1998–99; and how many of these jobs were created or safeguarded as a result of negotiations commenced after 1 May 1997. [33283]
§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs were secured through assistance provided from public funds in 1996–97; how many he estimates will have154W been so secured in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99; and of those how many will be as a result of negotiations begun after 1 May 1997. [33278]
§ Mr. HainA range of services, including grant support, is provided by the Welsh Office, the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Board for Rural Wales, the Wales Tourist Board, the Training and Enterprise Councils, local authorities and other business development organisations. Information on all these is not held centrally in the form requested.
The following information relates to Regional Selective Assistance (RSA), the main form of regional aid in Wales. Grant is paid in instalments triggered by the achievement of agreed capital expenditure or job targets; details of jobs achieved are provided at each payment stage.
In 1996–97, £88 million RSA was offered toward 182 projects. This amount was in total associated with the creation or safeguarding of 13,953 jobs over the estimated 3 to 5 year life of each project. Latest figures confirm the achievement of 3,308 jobs on projects where some payment has been made.
Applications for assistance received after 1 May 1997 have so far resulted in £34.4 million RSA offered toward 97 projects with the creation or safeguarding of 7,158 jobs. To date 286 jobs have been achieved.
As RSA is a demand-led scheme it is not possible to make estimates of jobs expected from offers which may be made in 1998–99.