§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he proposes to announce the new assisted areas maps; and if he will make a statement. [82731]
§ Mr. HainWe are working to complete the assisted areas map review as soon as possible. The Welsh Office is fully involved alongside other Departments to seek the best possible outcome for Great Britain. This is the key objective, rather than an early announcement. As the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Mr. Wills), said in an Adjournment debate on 26 April 1999,Official Report, column 124, we do not expect an announcement before mid-June.