To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the commercial level of rents on new factory and business lettings in Wales against the rents currently set by the Welsh Development Agency; and if he will make a statement.

The assessment and negotiation of rents to be charged to tenants of the Welsh Development Agency is a matter for the agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what factors are taken into account in the setting of rent levels for new lettings of Welsh Development Agency and Development Board for Rural Wales property; and if he will make a statement.

The Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales are responsible for assessing and negotiating the level of rent charged to their tenants and in general they seek to obtain full market value. A variety of factors influence rent levels charged by the agencies. These include location, size, and age of premises, as well as rent levels achieved by the private sector and other public sector landlords.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the increase in rents experienced by sitting tenants in Welsh Development Agency properties sold to the private sector; and if he will make a statement.

None. Rents paid in the private sector are a matter for the parties concerned.