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Work Programme (Wales)

(Translation) One of the problems we have with economic policies prepared in Westminster is that they do not take factors that are particular to Wales into account. For example, in the south-east and in London there are usually plenty of jobs for people who want them. It is not the same in Wales. It has not been so and I am saddened to say that it is not likely to change soon. I support what my hon. Friend the Member for Arfon said in his interesting and perceptive speech this morning. I draw attention to the fact that the Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, the right hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell mentioned the self-employed. Although that sector is important, he did not mention small and medium-sized enterprises in Wales. Of those working in Wales, 90% do so in SMEs, so we must focus on that sector and make life smoother for it. Until recently, figures showed that if each SME in Wales were to take one person on board, there would be no unemployment in the country. [Continued in English] That might not be so in present circumstances. We must acknowledge, however, that the private sector in Wales is not as developed as it could or should be; it accounts for approximately 70% of employment in Wales. We must grow the private sector, but we will not do so by slashing the public sector, because, as everyone knows, there is an all-important, symbiotic relationship between them. On the private sector, I say as generously as possible to the hon. Member for Cardiff North that I, too, felt a little patronised this morning. I employed 29 people in my legal practice before I was elected. I do not mean to be rude, because I know the hon. Gentleman did not mean to patronise—I know him well enough. If public sector jobs are cut in Wales at the same rate as over the border, it will hit us disproportionately badly, because common sense dictates that if we are more dependent on such jobs, cuts will have a greater effect.