To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are his plans for provision of youth facilities in Wales.

I will continue to support local authorities and other organisations and agencies in their efforts to promote and develop provision for young people in Wales.

Those are fine words, but lacking in content. Does the Minister recognise that the inadequate finances made available by the Welsh Office to local authorities this year means that the efforts of local people, voluntary organisations and far-sighted councillors—like those in my local authority of South Glamorgan, which has sought over the years to build up the youth service —are being undermined? Does he agree with my constituent, Mrs. Yeo of Tremorfa, who, seeing the effect of the inadequate resources on her 15-year-old son and others in his age group, suggested that the cuts should be made to the Minister's finances in the Welsh Office, not forced on the local youth service?

I am aware that some authorities are thinking of limiting spending on youth services. However, I must remind the hon. Gentleman—as did my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State—that we have increased the revenue settlement for local authorities for the coming year by 3·1 per cent. If one takes the past two years together, there is an increase of 25 per cent. and, over three years, there has been an increase of 29 per cent.

The Minister of State has obviously not had a share of the Secretary of State's St. David's day diod. The Minister should acknowledge that under the revenue support grant settlement for the forthcoming financial year, every county authority in Wales is having to cut its youth service provision. Does not he recognise how short-sighted that policy is, particularly when growing youth unemployment is pushing young people towards disaffection and alienation? Does not he realise the dangers that his policies are inflicting on the fabric of our society?

The choice is for the local authorities. We have done a great deal to support the youth organisations that are concerned with the well-being of our young people. Since 1988 we have provided grants worth about £1·4 million for national voluntary youth organisations. We have established the Youth Agency, funded to the tune of about £360,000 this year. We have provided £2 million worth of youth facilities since 1991–92 under the urban programme. And we have also ensured that we have met the youth training guarantee.