§ 11. Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry about the factors which attract inward investment to Wales. [530]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular meetings with my ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. In addition, ministerial colleagues and I gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee earlier this year on the role of the UK Government in promoting Wales abroad, including the partnership between the Government, British Trade International and the Welsh Development Agency in attracting inward investment.
Wales has one of the most impressive foreign direct investment track records worldwide, which is a testimony to the high skills levels of the workforce and a range of training programmes, infrastructure, land, property, business services and financial packages. In particular, the securing by the UK Government of Objective 1 status and Tier 1 status under the Assisted Areas map for West Wales and the Valleys allows the Government and the National Assembly to deliver a whole range of financial benefits to companies in that area.