Welsh Affairs

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 6:04 pm on 25 February 1999.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Peter Hain Peter Hain Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Welsh Office) 6:04, 25 February 1999

My hon. Friend made some important and valid arguments about objective 1 funding and its matching equivalent. However, the problem is more complicated, and also involves the question of public expenditure survey funding. When we have secured a decision from the European Union about the exact amount that Wales will be able to draw down, the problem that my hon. Friend described will have to be addressed, and the important points that he has made will be borne in mind.

During the past 20 months, we have pursued policies that are distinctive, but not separatist. I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Islwyn that we can be Welsh, but British too. Devolution is not about separatism, but about giving Wales a democratic voice for the first time, and about decentralising power.