SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WALES

That this House congratulates the Secretary of State for Wales on the dynamic leadership he is giving to the economic and cultural regeneration of Wales, on the 24 per cent. increase in local authority capital funding to ú536 million, the announcement of 218 urban programme projects, 23 special or regional importance projects and 29 major local authority road schemes; welcomes in particular the new opportunity for the Arts in the approval of the North Wales Arts and Convention Centre; and pays tribute to his positive partnership with the Welsh Development Agency, and other agencies and local authorities and all the people of Wales who together have ensured that inward investment to Wales is at record levels.