European Communities (Finance) Bill

First, Madam Deputy Speaker, I apologise that I was unable to be here at the beginning of the debate. I am privileged to be able to take part. Let me put the record straight on Wales. The right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) seemed to do down all the financial benefits that we have ever had. If everyone had sent money back—that is what he is most remembered for in Wales—that might have been the case, but fortunately we have benefited in many ways. As the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) also pointed out, the rate of growth in some of the objective 1 areas has been above the UK average. In Wales, the increase in jobs and recently in exports have both been above the UK average.