Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Adam Price (Plaid Cymru). It was answered on Wednesday, 21 March 2007 on behalf of the Wales Office.

Royal Naval Armaments Depot Llangennech

Question: Can the Secretary of State explain why, when central Government Departments such as the Ministry of Defence—or, indeed, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Treasury—cut jobs, they cut them in places like Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire, which need them most, whereas when they create jobs they create them outside the convergence fund region, in the places that need them least? Is it not about time that the Government had a policy for west Wales, and indeed for all Wales, so that jobs can be created throughout the nation?

Answer: I agree that we should be creating jobs throughout the nation, and in fact we are doing so. As the hon. Gentleman will know, in west Wales and the valleys—he represents a valleys constituency, as I do—unemployment has fallen and more jobs have been created. The Llangennech example is part of a restructuring of the Ministry of Defence, and we are working with all concerned. My hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) has visited the site, and the local Assembly Member, Catherine Thomas, is involved with the unions and work force. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman’s analysis. What would really hit jobs in Wales would be any chance of Plaid Cymru’s bankrupt economic policies holding sway there.

Secondary information