asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will make a statement on the progress of enterprise zones and trusts in Wales.

It is estimated that the three enterprise zones have attracted some 1,700 jobs so far and that the trusts have created or saved some 4,000 jobs. I regard this as excellent progress.

I have gained the impression that Powys Self-Help has been one of the most effective trusts. Does my hon. Friend have information to back that impression?

I most certainly do. I understand that Powys Self-Help is making good progress. To date it has helped 80 new businesses to start and 60 existing firms to expand, and it has helped to create or save 300 jobs.

Will the Welsh Office try to learn from the experience of the first enterprise zone in Swansea and, in particular, consistent with current regional policy, could not the benefits be more job-related? How does the Welsh Office see the future of retailing in the enterprise zones, given the effect in adjacent areas, and can we still support the idea in principle of having retailing enterprises within the zones?

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, Swansea has been identified as one of the more successful enterprise zones in terms of completed floor space, attraction of firms, employment and provision of service sites. I am aware of the views expressed about the retailing side. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is well aware of this, as he keeps in close touch. We have recently made a modification which, having consulted both sides in the matter, I can say will be welcomed generally.

In view of the recent tragic announcement of redundancies amounting to nearly one third of the work force at Courtaulds green field, will my hon. Friend seriously consider any applications from Delyn borough council for an extension of the land included in the Delyn enterprise zone and treat sympathetically any request for financial aid to meet the problems created by those redundancies?

I am aware of that concern. The Government regret the redundancies that have been announced. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State visited the plant last year and knows of the efforts that have been made to make it profitable. The redundancy decision must be for the company in the light of its assessment of future commercial prospects. However, I have taken note of my hon. Friend's point and will give serious consideration to any proposal that is put forward. For understandable reasons, I can give no guarantee of the outcome of the deliberations, but at the same time I must warn that statutory procedures would have to be gone through.

Is the Minister aware that rumour has it that his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has some goodies to announce today? Does he agree that the efforts of trusts, such as the Neath Development Partnership, which on its own has created about 900 jobs in the past five years, have done a great deal to reflect the status of Wales as a place for people to come to?

I pay tribute to the efforts of the Neath partnership, which is a very good example of how well both the private and public sectors can work together. I have visited that partnership, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will visit it later this week to provide encouragement for the good work that it is doing.

Is it not absurd to impose tolls on the Cleddau bridge, in the enterprise zone in the Secretary of State's constituency, which restrict movement from one side to the other, thus defeating the object of the exercise? In view of the astronomical figure of unemployment in the Secretary of State's constituency, does it mean that the right hon. Gentleman has forsaken those people as well?

My right hon. Friend forsook them to the extent that the Government provided a £4 million interest-free loan. Furthermore, as this matter affects a private Bill, I am sure that it would be out of order to make any further comment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many nurses were employed in Wales per 1,000 population on 31 March 1978 and 31 March 1984.

Monthly data were not collected in 1978. However, according to the annual census at 30 September 1978 the National Health Service in Wales employed 8·1 whole-time equivalent nurses per 1,000 population. The figure at 31 March 1984 was 9·3 whole-time equivalent nurses per 1,000 population.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer. Can he say how that substantial increase in front-line workers in the NHS has affected the number of inpatients and outpatients being treated?

Certainly. The increase in the number of inpatients being cared for between September 1979 and September 1983 was 10·9 per cent. The number of day cases cared for increased by 11·2 per cent. and outpatients by 12·6 per cent.—a very creditable performance.

Does the Minister accept that that increase reflects the increase in demand, particularly through the growth of the geriatric population? Does he also accept that the increased pressure on hospitals comes from a cut in resources for local government and a failure to maintain home helps, which means that people who would otherwise be helped in their own homes have to go to hospital?

No, I do not accept that. A certain element of the increase in the number of patients treated is a result of demographic change, but the hon. Gentleman will be aware that there has been a comparable increase in the amount of money spent by local authorities on personal social services.

In view of those significant figures, can my hon. Friend explain the extent of the propaganda to the contrary?

It is very difficult. One can only hope that truth will triumph eventually, and I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that it does appear to be triumphing at long last.

If the Minister wishes to take credit for those numbers, perhaps he will supply the House with further information. For the dates that he has mentioned, what were the average numbers of hours worked per nurse, and what was the ratio of SENs to SRNs?

On the last point, if the hon. Gentleman will put down a question I shall answer it. I am sure that he will not expect me to carry those figures in my head. During the period about which we are talking there was a reduction in the number of hours worked by nurses, but, even so, there was an increase in the total number of nurses over and above that required to compensate for the decrease in their, working hours. There was also an increase in the total number of front-line staff for the Health Service.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many jobs have been lost in Wales as a result of the coal mining dispute; and how much the total cost of the dispute has been to the Welsh economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his assessment of the impact on the Welsh economy and on the prospects for employment in Wales of a further prolongation of the coal mining dispute.

It is not possible to give detailed figures in respect of Wales, but there is no doubt that jobs are being lost, particularly in businesses with direct connections with the coal industry. The longer the dispute continues, the greater will be the threat to those businesses and to economic development.

Does my right hon. Friend accept that this represents a shameful and tragic waste of human resources in Wales? Will he urge Welsh miners to follow the excellent example set by Bersham colliery workers in going back to work?

As I said at the CBI dinner on Friday, I agree that the most tragic aspects of this dispute are the waste of the resources involved, the destruction of coal faces, and the loss of markets and of resources that would be going into new productive industry.

Have we not lost the order for 600,000 tonnes of coal that were to be exported to France because of this violent and undemocratic strike? At the same time, will not British Rail, the National Bus Company and, in particular, small businesses suffer because Mr. Scargill and his subordinates are denying their members a free and democratic ballot?

Undoubtedly, jobs and exports are being lost, and industries and markets are being affected. For example, I know that the National Bus Company had to lay off about 20 people at its Bridgend depot as a result of the dispute.

I do not understand why the Minister did not couple question 14 with these questions. Is the explanation that he is pandering to his Conservative colleagues? Has he read the January edition of Accountancy, which clearly states that the National Coal Board's accounting system needs to be thoroughly investigated? Is he aware that in this magazine five accountancy experts said that it was time the system was changed? Is he further aware that if this system of accountancy had been operated in the Wyndham Western colliery in my constituency, which closed on 7 January, in all probability it would still be open?

I did not couple the hon. Gentleman's question with the other two because it is a different question. The taxpayer knows from the amount of money being paid to loss-making pits that, no matter what form of accountancy is used, substantial losses are being made by several pits and that the cost of producing coal in the best pits is very much less than in the most expensive loss-making pits.

At the end of the Scargill strike, which surely cannot be far away, will British Rail be able to win back all the coal traffic that it previously carried, particularly between Port Talbot and Llanwern?

That will be a matter for the customers to decide. I understand that the cost of road transport has proved comparable and sometimes competitive with that of rail transport. Thus, some changes may take place, but that will be for the management of the steel industry and others who use coal to decide.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are fewer miners working today in south Wales than last week? Does he not understand that there is no possibility of the striking miners in south Wales going back to work, other than on the basis of a negotiated settlement that suits them and the NUM? Will the right hon. Gentleman at last begin to take his responsibilities seriously? Last Thursday the Leader of the House told the House that he wanted further talks on the basis of the NACODS settlement. Given the Secretary of State's responsibility for the turmoil in south Wales, will he tell Welsh Members what he is doing, at Cabinet level, to bring about the resumption of those talks?

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his clear statement that the leaders of the NUM are apparently interested only in negotiating on their terms, and not in considering the interests of the nation as a whole, of other industries, of the consumer, or of the future of the coal industry.

Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to repeat in the House the remarks that he made at the CBI dinner in Cardiff on Friday? Those remarks were considered deeply offensive by 100,000 miners and their families in south Wales.

I cannot see how anyone could have found offensive my condemnation of violence, my view that the terrible waste was destroying markets and job prospects, or my appeal that people should be allowed to return to work without the threat of violence and should be able to hold a ballot, as is their natural right

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that record investment of more than £100 million is earmarked for the south Wales pits if they return to work, and that Mr. Sid Moore, the marketing director of the NCB in south Wales, has stated that the threat of massive closures in south Wales is political bunkum?

I noticed that the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Thomas) threatened that more jobs would be lost in south Wales than now exist in the south Wales coal industry. That would seem to suggest that he has been exaggerating his case, as so often happens. It is known that the NCB is anxious to get on with considering investment in west Wales, at Margam and elsewhere, and that its plans are being held up because of the dispute.

Will the Secretary of State confirm that as a result of the Government's incompetence and bigotry the financial cost of the dispute stands at between £2·5 billion and £4·5 billion and that the social cost cannot be calculated? The attempt to bribe miners back to work has failed dismally in south Wales. The right hon. Gentleman should be trying to negotiate a decent settlement instead of confirming losses and attempting to exaggerate the situation.

I would welcome negotiation on the basis of the NACODS settlement, but it is very difficult when the leader of the NUM says that he is not prepared to negotiate on the central issue in dispute.

Is not the only way to resolve the dispute for the Government to get the parties to the negotiating table before Christmas? Otherwise, the dispute will last well into 1985. Will the Secretary of State urge his Cabinet colleagues, specifically the Secretary of State for Energy, to involve themselves in negotiations? Does he agree that he should bring more statesmanship and a little less contemptible behaviour to the issue?

There can be little point in proceeding with negotiations if the president of the National Union of Mineworkers says that he is not prepared to negotiate on the central issue of the strike—whether uneconomic pits should be closed, as they always have been under every Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the current activities of the Welsh Development Agency.

The agency is vigorously implementing the strategy set out in its published corporate plan. Its activities are aimed at regenerating the Welsh economy and improving the industrial infrastructure and the environment. Particular importance is attached to securing more inward investment and encouraging technological development, and every effort is made to harness private sector funds.

Is the Welsh Development Agency in a position to help locally by paying particular attention to local needs and problems, such as those in Holyhead?

My hon. Friend has recently met the chief executive of the Welsh Development Agency and discussed local problems with him. He will know that as a result of recent difficulties the agency's regional office is about to launch a series of informal sessions and seminars with WDA tenants and other local business people. Such local consultative activity will be helpful.

Will the Secretary of State take the opportunity to encourage Welsh local authorities to take advantage of the investment fund set up by the Welsh Development Agency and urge them to examine their own investments, and pension funds investments, in order to gain practical benefit from their capital resources?

I welcome that suggestion. The closest co-operation between the agency, local authorities and the private sector is the key to success if we are to make the best use of resources.

Will not the cuts in regional aid make the WDA's job that much more difficult? Has the Secretary of State forgotten that, following the slimline operation, thousands of steel workers are still unemployed? As a recent survey in Port Talbot shows that one fifth of them are still out of work three years after that exercise, does that mean that the Secretary of State and the Government do not appreciate the desolation over which they are presiding?

I am sure that south Wales will remain competitive as a result of the regional changes. The combination of the regional incentives, the work of the agency, the advantages of the European coal and steel loans and the other packages of assistance will ensure that, as before, the Newport area and the steel closure areas will continue to attract new inward investment and jobs.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the cutback in milk production in Wales and in the area of the Vale of Glamorgan, respectively, from the date of the introduction of milk quotas up to the latest convenient date; how the proportionate cutback in each case compares with the United Kingdom proportion; and if he will make a statement.

The cutback of 10·3 per cent. in Welsh production between April and October 1984 compared with the same period last year is as much a consequence of the long dry summer as it is a response to the imposition of milk quotas. The comparable reduction in England and Wales is 9·3 per cent., and it is at present unlikely that supplementary levy will be payable. The United Kingdom reduction is 8·7 per cent. I regret that figures for the Vale of Glamorgan are not available.

I appreciate that it is too soon to make a final judgment, and I accept that the drought might have caused special problems, but will my right hon. Friend take account of the fact that the figures underline the importance of milk production in many parts of the Principality, including the Vale of Glamorgan?

I understand the importance of milk production. In the period up to October the United Kingdom was about 3·9 per cent. below the estimated dairy quota, although I judge that the gap will have closed considerably by the end of the year. The five local panels have completed their examination of special case claims and the main tribunal, which has been substantially enlarged, is considering with all possible urgency appeals against local panel decisions and the exceptional hardship cases.

Will the Secretary of State give an assurance that he will go to Brussels and make a special plea on behalf of Welsh dairy producers for an extra milk quota for 1985?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that the Government, in considering their stand in Brussels when they receive the Commission's proposals in the new year, will consider carefully the special circumstances that affect different parts of the United Kingdom, including Wales.

My right hon. Friend will know that he and I represent many farmers who have been hit hard by the milk quota proposals. Will he have a word with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and ensure that when he goes to Brussels he makes certain that no European country gets away with undercutting the quotas, so that Britain bears a fair burden of the problem and not a disproportionate one?

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said on 20 November:

"My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made it quite clear to the Commission that, with regard to the super levy, either all of us collect it or none of us do so. We shall not be in a position in which Britain keeps the rules while others do not."—[Official Report, 20 November 1984; Vol. 68, c. 143.]

Is it not evident that there is still much dissatisfaction about milk quotas? The Secretary of State should know that from experience, bearing in mind the fact that only a week or two ago local dairy farmers stormed into his office. Why did he not keep faith with his people and at least insist on a deal similar to that obtained by the Irish dairy farmers?

It is hard to believe that the Opposition are arguing, against the background of the CAP and CAP expenditure, that Britain should have had an increase in its milk quota. That is a remarkable revelation of the Opposition's agriculture policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on Government proposals for regional industrial policy in Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the implications for Wales of the recently announced changes in the Government's regional aid policies.

The Government's new regional policy arrangements are designed to create genuine and lasting jobs cost-effectively. The revised assisted areas map covers nearly 90 per cent. of the working population of Wales and provides support both for needy areas and for key centres of growth. Wales will continue to offer an effective level of support and a comprehensive package of advice and assistance to all qualifying firms looking to invest in the Principality.

Will the Secretary of State direct his attention to mid-Glamorgan and confirm that in two constituencies—Caerphilly, and Ogmore—and the area of Taff-tly the grant to large areas will be reduced from 22 to 15 per cent. and that they will no longer qualify for automatic grants? Given the desperate need to attract employment into those areas, how does the Secretary of State expect us to compete on an equal footing with areas in the midlands, such as Birmingham or Coventry?

The entire Heads of the Valley area of industrial south Wales, as a coherent block, receives the most assistance available in the United Kingdom. Therefore, it is in an especially good position to compete with other areas, including the west midlands. In the southern belt, where unemployment is lower and the attractions to incoming industry are already substantial, I am satisfied that the combination of assistance available — the selective financial assistance package, the European coal and steel aids, the Welsh Development Agency package and the assistance for small firms—will ensure that it continues to be a competitive and attractive area, and that it will continue to attract a disproportionate share of inward investment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the new arrangements command general assent, on the ground that they are likely to be more cost-effective in bringing jobs to the area? However, can he give any reassurance to the areas that have lost assisted status that they will not thereby forgo any call on EEC investment funds or other forms of aid?

My hon. Friend will recall that after the downgrading of mid-Wales we had discussions with the European Commission, and ERDF assistance was later available in that area. I shall be having discussions with the Commission about the other rural areas that have been downgraded, but I can give no undertakings now on the outcome of the discussions.

What was the exact calculation of the sum that would be saved by the removal of special development area status from various areas in Wales? What account did the Government take of employment consequences when they embarked upon their policy? Have not the Government, and the right hon. Gentleman in particular, agreed to hitting even harder the areas that have already been hit the hardest? What was the exact calculation of extra unemployment at which he connived with the Government?

I do not agree that the result will be extra unemployment. I believe that the regional package will be extremely effective. When it is combined with other Government measures, including lower interest rates and cuts in the job tax, which the right hon. Gentleman and the previous Labour Government imposed, it will attract investment. The right hon. Gentleman has taken an extraordinary position in the area which he represents, which has the highest level of assistance that is available in the United Kingdom. That assistance has been extended to the Abergavenny area, which will be especially attractive for high-tech industry. He is, apparently selfishly, begruding areas to the west of Blaenau Gwent a level of assistance that is equal to that in his constituency.

Will my right hon. Friend reassure the House that changes in regional policy will not put us at a disadvantage when they are set against aid packages from other European competitors, and will not prevent us from holding on to companies such as Laura Ashley, which has said that it might go to Holland because of the attractive aid packages on offer there?

My hon. Friend's part of Wales remains an area with the highest level of assistance and — [Interruption.] The Opposition always hate good news. I am pleased to tell the House that Laura Ashley Ltd. is today announcing that its major new textile finishing project is to be undertaken in Newtown. Associated with this development will be a new garment-making unit in the north Wales development area. The two projects will together result in several hundred additional jobs, and the investment will consolidate and further develop Laura Ashley's British and Welsh operation. There was strong competition for the project from Holland and I am especially pleased that various authorities in Britain were able to put together a package that was attractive enough to persuade Laura Ashley to undertake the project in Wales.

The news on Laura Ashley must be welcome, but I remind the right hon. Gentleman that he put himself into a ministerial flat spin on the issue by recklessly removing assisted status from mid-Wales in 1980. That is why he found himself in a mess, and that is what caused him to go cap in hand around Whitehall to get moneys for Laura Ashley. If the worrying £60 million cut in aid in last week's regional development announcement is not a public expenditure cut, will he tell us where in his budget he proposes to spend another £60 million?

The hon. Gentleman appears to miss the point that if an area that does not have development area status is able to compete with a development area in Holland and attract major investment of the Laura Ashley sort, it means that in areas that have development area status we shall compete extremely effectively. I am satisfied that we remain competitive in Wales and will continue to obtain a good share of the investment that will be attracted there.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many unemployed people there are in Wales compared with 1979 as a total and as a percentage of the total population; how many are long-term unemployed; and what percentage of the unemployed total is the long-term unemployed total.

On 8 November 1984 there were 179,643 unemployed claimants in Wales, compared with a figure of 78,297 in November 1979. As percentages of the employee population they represent 16·8 per cent. and 7·1 per cent. respectively. It is estimated that 73,334 or 40·8 per cent. of the total for November 1984 had been unemployed for over a year.

Against the background of those doleful figures, the £60 million cut in regional aid is deplorable. I expect the Secretary of State to tell us today about new jobs from Japan and the United States of America. Having told us of those terrible figures, does the right hon. Gentleman propose to surrender weakly the skillcentres in Llanelli and west Gwent? Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the loss of 230 Courtaulds jobs is a severe blow to the economy of north-east Wales? I remind the Secretary of State that in Clwyd there are 12,810 jobless people in the Flint, Rhyl and Deeside area.

I was glad to see the MSC press notice issued on 4 December, which reported that there had been a sharp upturn in the number of jobs available in the Shotton area and that the number of job opportunities in the area was increasing. The savings of an estimated £60 million in the regional policy announcement will not occur until 1987–88. It is expected that there will be an increase in regional policy expenditure in the two years before that time. I must set those figures against the fact that Welsh industry is benefiting by more than £120 million a year from the abolition of the Labour Government's job tax. As for skillcentres, what is at present a proposal put by officials has not yet been considered by the Commission, nor have the Commission's proposals been considered by Ministers.

asked the Paymaster General how many staff are employed in his Department; what is the nature of their responsibilities; and what is the size of the budget he administers.

On 1 November there were 834 staff in post in my Department.

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware of the appalling suffering and inconvenience caused to pensioners by the DHSS strike at Newcastle? What effect has that strike had on DHSS payments?

The strke has caused considerable distress. I am pleased to say that two of the unions have now agreed that their members should go back to work, and I hope that the third union will encourage its members to return. It is sad when the plight of the least able in our society is used to press home wage demands. There has been a considerable diminution in the number of payments that we have been able to make, amounting to about £500,000. I am sorry that that has happened, because we want to make those payments to the people who deserve them.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that those figures hardly deserve the appointment of someone of Cabinet rank to overseer them? Will the hon. Gentleman accept that his role in the Cabinet really rests upon his chairmanship of the Conservative party?

As the hon. Gentleman's facts are incorrect, perhaps it would be unsuitable for me to answer his question.

asked the Paymaster General what proportion of the working week he spends on his official duties.

I would expect to devote as much time to my duties as Paymaster General as is necessary to do them well.

I must confess that that was an apt reply. Since the hon. Gentleman's main function is to be chairman of the Conservative party, does he not feel that he could have kept the Prime Minister somewhat better informed about the strong feelings of Conservative Back Benchers over student grants and other sensitive issues? When changes are made, will the hon. Gentleman not feel a sense of relief at having given up the job as chairman of the Conservative party, after all the stick that he has received?

The hon. Gentleman has forecast that event so many times over so many months that I hope to continue to disappoint him year after year.

asked the Paymaster General how many cheques he authorised for signature last month in his official capacity; and how much they totalled.

Although my duties as Paymaster General include the oversight of the handling of payable orders drawn on my Office by Government Departments and others, they do not include the authorisation of cheques for signature.

In view of the answer that my hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) earlier, may I, on behalf of many of my constituents, express my thanks to my hon. Friend the Paymaster General, and, through him, the appropriate Ministers, for ensuring that pensions keep ahead of the rate of inflation? I assure him that for most of my constituents living on fixed incomes the control of inflation remains the most important priority.

While thanking my hon. Friend for those remarks, may I point out to him—I am sure that he will agree—that it would help a great deal to keep inflation down if people did not push for wage rises above the level of inflation or for wage rises that have not been earned by better productivity?

asked the Paymaster General if he will list the ministerial functions of his office.

I am responsible for matters affecting the running and administration of the Paymaster General's Office at Crawley. I also hold certain offices connected with the Royal hospital, Chelsea; the Duke of York's school; the Royal Patriotic Fund Corporation; and the Drouly Officers' widows' fund.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the broad breadth of experience that he will gain from his appointment as Paymaster General. Does he feel that there are areas for privatisation within his remit?

I yield to no one in my enthusiasm for privatisation. On my visit next week to the computer works at Crawley, I shall consider that matter carefully. I believe it unlikely that there is scope for privatisation, because we are an efficient operation that has to be kept under Government control because we are paying out Government money.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current number of men and women employed in Wales between the ages of 16 and 21, 22 and 55, and 65 years, respectively.

Information is not available on the basis requested. The most up-to-date information relates to the 1981 census of population. For the age groups nearest to those requested the information was as follows:

16–20 years—104,898; 21–54 years—783,709; 55–64 years—143,726.

Those people are fortunate, but what about the 27·3 per cent. of men in my constituency who are unemployed? That is the highest male unemployment rate in Wales. Surely the duty of the Secretary of State for Wales is not to come to the House and wring his hands with counterfeit anxiety, but to put pressure on the Government to change their blitzkrieg policies towards the people of Wales and their industries.

I am glad to see that over the past past two or three months there has been a small fall in the number of unemployed people in the industrial areas of south Wales. We are beginning to see the results of the massive inward and other investment that has been taking place recently. The tragedy is that in the hon. Lady's constituency those prospects are being blighted by the continuation of a strike which she encourages.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the protestations coming from Opposition Members representing Welsh constituencies would be a little more credible this Monday afternoon if one or two of them had been in their seats last Friday morning when an important debate on unemployment and tourism took place in the Chamber?

I am aware that hon. Members often have important engagements on a Friday, and I should not wish to condemn them on that account. My hon. Friend is right to mention tourism. It is an industry that provides an important and growing source of new jobs.

As there are 5,500 unemployed people in my constituency, 2,500 of whom have been unemployed for more than a year, will the Secretary of State try to relieve the gloom felt in my constituency by removing the prevalent present speculation, which has arisen as a result of planning applications, so that we may know whether there is hope of early large inward investment at Cwmbran? Is he aware of our concern that the recent changes, and any regional package being considered, should in no way adversely affect the attraction of inward American investment?

I can certainly confirm that the recent changes in regional policy in no way affect the offer to the company concerned. I confirm that negotiations are indeed taking place with an American company with a view to its setting up in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. I hope that it will be possible to give news of the conclusion of those negotiations before long. There are still detailed matters to be resolved.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the local authorities and local authority associations which have protested about the Government's plans for the deregulation of bus services in Wales.

Representations have been received on various aspects of the White Paper, "Buses", from more than 40 local authorities and local authority associations in Wales. With permission I shall circulate the full list in the Official Report.

Can the Minister say who was in favour of the proposals? Is it not a serious accusation for experts in the transport section of the Association of District Councils to express doubts about the knowledge of the industry of those responsible for drawing up the White Paper? In view of all the public disquiet and the anxiety of pensioners, the disabled, women's institutes, and so on, not to mention local authorities, does the Minister agree that there must be more consultation before legislation is introduced?

There is, of course, consultation. Many of the respondents have expressed concern at various aspects of the Government's proposals. Any form of change is always met with a certain amount of concern, but not all authorities oppose deregulation. Powys county council, for example, is in favour, subject to certain safeguards.

Why?

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman asked that question. It is because the consumer and the customer also come into this, and the Welsh Consumer Council has welcomed our proposals.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what encouragement Her Majesty's Government give to private sponsorship of the arts; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts has recently launched an incentive scheme designed to encourage companies to look into the benefits of arts sponsorship. The first 12 winners, who raised more than £500,000, have just been announced.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the growing concern of certain companies and corporations at the activities of the Inland Revenue "hit" squad in its office, which is examining their accounts with specific regard to sponsorship of the arts? Will he make representations to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor about this and also about the general need for tax reform to encourage private sponsorship of the arts?

I have not seen those representations, but I shall look into the matter. On the broader point, the Select Committee made some recommendations, which are still under consideration. I remind my hon. Friend that the Government have made some reforms, especially of the covenanting regime, which have given a great deal of help in this matter.

In discussing this issue, will the hon. Gentleman give special attention to sponsorship by tobacco companies leading to the sale of lethal cigarettes, which cause nearly 100,000 premature deaths per year? Will he discuss with the Chancellor the fact that a further 1p tax per packet of cigarettes would provide enough money to cover not just arts sponsorship, but all sports sponsorship?

Unfortunately, the tax regime is not the responsibility of my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts.

Does my hon. Friend agree that private sponsorship of the arts should be regarded as a welcome addition to support for the arts and not as a substitute for proper public patronage?

I thoroughly endorse that view. We know that a range of arts have to rely on continued public sponsorship. Nevertheless, pluralism in funding is vital. That is why we are keen to see more private sponsorship.

In view of the wise words of the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Sir D. Price) and of the Minister's reply, is it not disgraceful that public subsidy has fallen so short under the present Government that, after one of the most brilliant years in the history of the British theatre, a desperate crisis faces the English National Opera, the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester and even the National theatre itself? Is that not an indictment of the disgraceful level of funding provided by the Minister for the Arts?

No, it is not. Those three situations are all different. However, it is not the fault of the Minister for the Arts that the English National Opera, for instance, is in difficulties. Arts funding under the Government has kept up with inflation at a difficult time. That has been a considerable achievement.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what is the per capita Arts Council grant for Eastern Arts; and how this compares with funding for other regional arts associations.

The figure is 14·9p, compared with an average of 27·7p for other regions of England.

In view of those figures, will the Minister attempt to encourage the Arts Council to place demographic criteria high on its list of priorities when deciding future levels of funding for the eastern region?

The hon. Gentleman is a formidable lobbyist for his region, but I always have to give the same answer. The Arts Council funds projects it considers worthy of funding. It does not try to spread money on a demographic basis. However, I will once again draw to the attention of the Arts Council what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts if Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that adequate provision will be made for the arts in Greater Manchester if present proposals to abolish the Greater Manchester council are implemented.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the North-West Arts Association does not share his view? The association has written to hon. Members representing north-western constituencies, pointing out that it fears that there will be a shortfall in spending after the abolition of the Greater Manchester council and that over £750,000 of arts subsidy that is currently paid will not be guaranteed. Does the Minister accept that he is relying on the hope that Labour authorities such as Manchester will bail out Conservative authorities such as Trafford, which have no record of spending money on the arts, and no intention of doing so?

I hope that both Conservative and Labour metropolitan districts will undertake their responsibilities. I pay tribute to the work done by the Greater Manchester council, some of which has been most useful. The arts budget will have considerable additional funds to help to meet the shortfall, and I am sure that if the districts play their proper role there should be no long-term difficulty.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what discussions he has had concerning the export of works of art.

The export control system for works of art and antiques is kept under continuous review. My right hon. and noble Friend meets the chairman of the reviewing committee on the export of works of art as appropriate.

Most of our artistic heritage was acquired in the 18th and 19th century when our prosperity, compared to that of other countries, was much greater than we are ever likely to achieve again. Is it not clear that the net effect of events during the next few decades is likely to be the export of some works of art that are of great importance to us? Should not there be a ban on selling a special category of works of art which we cannot keep in this country by raising the requisite money? We have no objection to people selling their works of art, but there should be a ban on the export of certain works of art.

All those matters are kept under consideration. However, I take the point made in the annual report of the National Heritage Memorial Fund that Britain has greatly gained from the free trade in works of art over the years and that it would not be in our long-term interests to do away with it. We have great public collections. What is important is that we should try to ensure that private owners do not have to sell in the first place.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what is the current level of revenue from entrance charges to museums and galleries; and if he will make a statement.

Of the national museums and galleries in England, only the National Maritime museum makes a general admission charge for its main collection. Its forecast gross income from charges is £353,000 in the current financial year. Information is not readily available on the national museums' and galleries' revenue from admission charges at special exhibitions and out-stations as distinct from their other non-Exchequer income sources.

Does my hon. Friend agree that such charges could be a valuable additional source of funding for the arts? Will he therefore tell us whether he and his right hon. and noble Friend intend to encourage this movement in the future?

The Government's policy is that the trustees of the collections themselves should come forward with proposals if they think it right to do so. They know their own markets better than we do.

With respect, that is hardly the Government's policy. The Government are doing everything that they can to encourage museums and other institutions to charge. When opening a library in Ealing in April, the Minister for the Arts said how admirable it was for people to pay, as they would enjoy things all the more as a result. That argument, as I have said before, is the argument of the prostitute, and I wish that the Minister would disclaim it.

The hon. Gentleman makes that joke every three weeks and it never seems any more apposite. The policy is, I think, as I have stated it. Indeed, it is as I have stated it, so I am afraid that the hon. Gentleman is wrong in this matter.

asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State answering in respect of the Arts what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking in conjunction with the Arts Council to ensure the future of the English National Opera.

My right hon. and noble Friend is in touch with the Arts Council, which is keeping the situation under review.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the English National Opera's financial difficulties arise largely because of its recent American tour? Is he further aware that that raises wide issues of whether nationally sponsored companies should tour abroad, bearing in mind the risks involved? What are my hon. Friend's thoughts on this matter?

My hon. Friend is right. The English National Opera's difficulties arise from an American tour and especially because of the failure of some promises in America to find money for the company. It has always been the case that Arts Council money cannot be used for touring abroad. Such tours are undertaken at the risk of the companies concerned. I understand that the tour was a triumphant artistic success, which is why my right hon. and noble Friend is keeping closely in touch.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Do you have any discretion in regard to a Minister coupling questions? You will have noted that the Secretary of State for Wales today coupled two questions tabled by Conservative Members. That resulted in the exclusion of 11 out of 22 questions, most of which had been tabled by Labour Members. The Secretary of State coupled question No. 4 with question No. 17, the latter of which was tabled by the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Terlezki), and question No. 10 with question No. 7, which was also tabled by a Conservative Member. At 3.10 pm Welsh Questions were delayed until after questions relating to public accounts had been dealt with. After question No. 11 had been taken we proceeded to questions on the Arts, with the result that questions Nos. 12 to 22 were not asked. Such coupling is not unusual. The Secretary of State has previously coupled five or six questions, especially when they relate to the coal mining dispute. Today, he should have coupled at least my question No. 14 with question No. 4 and he could have taken more questions with question No. 7, which was tabled by my hon. Friend the Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).

Order. I cannot answer the hon. Gentleman's latter point—it is not a matter for me. I note his point on the linking of questions. That is entirely a matter for the Minister concerned. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will have noted that I called him immediately after the supplementary questions of the hon. Members who tabled questions Nos. 4 and 17.

I am very grateful.

I do not think that the hon. Gentleman has any grouse, has he? Moreover, all hon. Members who tabled a question that appeared on the Order Paper today were called to ask a supplementary question. We got through the whole list of 22 hon. Members, at least in supplementary questions.