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Mr. Oppenheim: Information on the unadjusted level of claimant unemployment in each local authority district or parliamentary constituency is available from July 1983 and can be obtained from the NOMIS database in the Library. Claimant unemployment rates are not available below the level of travel-to-work areas.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what EU schemes or projects to assist areas of unemployment have benefited Coventry and the west midlands; how much the United Kingdom has benefited from these schemes over the last five years; and what assessment he has made of whether the formulae used by France, Germany and Holland over the last five years to calculate unemployment would have increased the amounts of money coming in the form of grants to Britain to help the unemployed.
Miss Widdecombe: Information on funding from the European social fund from 1990 to 1993 is set out in the table. It covers Warwickshire, the west midlands and Great Britain. It is not possible to produce comprehensive figures below county level except at disproportionate cost. The 1994 figures at regional and county level are not yet available.
In so far as unemployment levels are a factor in determining allocations from ESF, the European Commission uses the International Labour Organisation measure of unemployment published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. This is an international standard across all European Union countries. Allocations to the UK are thus made on the same basis as those to every other member state.
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ESF funding in Warkwickshire, West Midlands and Great Britain, 1990-1993 £ pounds Year |Warwickshire |West Midlands|Great Britain ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1990 |476,152 |12,034,653 |287,936,452 1991 |489,787 |22,878,238 |361,623,462 1992 |517,319 |16,658,843 |361,157,739 1993 |614,524 |24,795,153 |494,417,781 Note: (i) The figures cover payments made under all the EC Structural Fund Objectives but exclude payments made under Community Initiatives. (ii) Warwickshire and West Midlands also benefitted over the period from ESF support for National Government training programmes, figures for which are included in the third column but not the first two.
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the differences in calculating figures for unemployed people in the United Kingdom and in France, Germany and Holland; how Britain benefits by using a different calculation; and whether the use of a different formula for calculating the unemployed puts Britain at an advantage or disadvantage regarding assistance from European funds in the form of grants to fund schemes for unemployment.
Mr. Oppenheim: The United Kingdom, in common with most other European Union countries produces two official measures of unemployment: an administratively based count and a labour force survey measure based on the internationally standard measure of unemployment defined by the International Labour Organisation and which forms the basis for international comparisons. Details of the measures of unemployment used by the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Holland can be found in an article in the September 1992, Employment Gazette entitled, "How Unemployment is Measured in Different Countries".
The European Commission allocates money from the European social fund to member states using the ILO unemployment measure, published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities. This is an international standard across all EU countries. Allocations to the UK are, thus, made on the same basis as those to every other EU member state.
Trade Union Membership
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if employers are required to inform employees who do not re-authorise the renewal of their trade union membership subscriptions under the terms of the Trade Union Reform and Employment Rights Act 1993 that they will cease to be members of their trade union.
Mr. Oppenheim: No. An employee who does not authorise the continuance of deductions from pay for trade union subscriptions may have moved to another means of payment.
Labour Statistics
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to his answer of 2 February, Official Report , columns 769-70 , if he will list for each region in the United Kingdom, since 1979, the number of persons in (a) full-time work and (b) part-time work
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earning (i) less than £1.50 an hour, (ii) between £1.50 and £2.50 an hour and (iii) between £2.50 and £3.50 an hour, also breaking these figures down by gender and the percentage each figure is of the work force.Mr. Oppenheim: Information on the distributions of hourly earnings of full-time adult workers in the regions of Great Britain is shown in table 115 of part E of the new earnings survey reports. Similar information on part-time women workers is shown in table 117 of part F. Copies of these reports are available in the Library.
Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what was the ratio between the UK activity rate and the UK unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement; (2) what was the ratio between the Welsh activity rate and the Welsh unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what was the ratio between the UK female activity rate and the UK female unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(4) what was the ratio between the UK male activity rate and the UK male unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(5) what was the ratio between the Welsh male activity rate and the Welsh male unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement;
(6) what was the ratio between the Welsh female activity rate and the Welsh female unemployment rate for each year since 1970; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Oppenheim: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library.
Job Opportunities
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment pursuant to the oral answer on 10 January to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin), Official Report, column 7, if he will list the international evidence in support of the assertion that more regulated economies are less successful in creating job opportunities; and what other information he has on this issue.
Mr. Oppenheim: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Gateshead, East (Ms Quin) on 10 February 1995, Official Report, columns 473 74 .
Unfair Dismissal
Ms Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the effect of the proposals to change the law on unfair dismissal for part-time workers and on those working fewer than eight hours per week.
Mr. Oppenheim: Following the coming into effect on 6 February of the Employment Protection (Part-Time Employees) Regulations 1995, all employees, including those working fewer than eight hours per week, qualify to bring complaints of unfair dismissal after completing two years' continuous service. The effect of this change on business and employment opportunities will be carefully monitored.
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South Thames Training and Enterprise Council
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when Central London TEC will agree new contracts with the former providers of training and services to South Thames TEC.
Mr. Paice: CENTEC is currently drawing up its proposals to undertake training and enterprise council responsibilities in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. If these negotiations go well, CENTEC should be able to complete contracting arrangements for the beginning of the new contract year on 27 March 1995.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment who is responsible for paying the money owed by South Thames TEC to Community Industry in Peckham for work up to 7th November 1994.
Mr. Paice: All payments owed to providers by South Thames training and enterprise council prior to 7 November 1994 are a matter for the receiver.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish the Grant Thornton report on the circumstances that led up to the failure of South Thames TEC.
Mr. Paice: The Grant Thornton work was commissioned on the basis that it was for the internal consideration of the Department only and was not intended as a public document. However, for the information and inspection of hon. Members, a copy of the report is available in the Library.
HOUSE OF COMMONS
Disabled People (Access)
Mr. Cox: To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee, pursuant to his answer of 8 February, Official Report, columns 243-46, if he visited Westminster Hall on 9 February; and if he will make a statement on the means of access and the facilities that were made available to disabled people attending the lobby by disabled people held on that day.
Mr. Ray Powell: I visited Westminster Hall during the course of the mass lobby and was satisfied that the arrangements for access to the hall itself were satisfactory. The Committee's proposals to improve access for disabled people to the Grand Committee Room from Westminster Hall are described in my answer to my hon. Friend on 8 February, columns 243-46. The facilities provided for the organisation of a mass lobby are a matter for the Administration Committee and my hon. Friend may wish to refer any specific matter of particular concern to that Committee.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Doncaster Prison
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current number and annual cost of staff at Doncaster prison; and what are the figures in respect of the agreed tender.
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Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 16 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of and annual cost of staff at Doncaster prison. The Prison Service pays a fee to Premier Prison Services Ltd to manage Doncaster prison. It is not broken down into elements such as pay. It is therefore not possible for us to say how much the annual cost of staff is. This is a matter for the company.
The tender assumed a staffing level of 356 staff. The contract signed with Premier Prison Services Ltd anticipated that additional staff or other resources might be necessary and allowed for the employment of further staff. Costs of additional staff who are authorised by the Prison Service are borne largely by the Prison Service. The price paid by the Prison Service is, however, limited to the maximum permitted by the contract, which equates to the cost per place of £295 per week published at the time of contract award. The Prison Service has authorised the employment of a further 55 staff. I understand that Premier Prison Services has employed a further 24 staff for whom they have not sought reimbursement from the Prison Service and the costs of whose employment are borne entirely by the company. This brings the total number of staff to 435.
Next Steps Agencies
Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not yet provided the information about the next step agencies requested by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton in his question of 20 January.
Mr. Howard: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 9 February.
Sikhs (Refugees and Asylum Seekers)
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many Sikhs have been granted exceptional leave to remain in each year since 1984.
(2) how many sikhs have been granted political asylum since 1984.
Mr. Nicholas Baker: Information on Sikhs is not separately identifiable in the statistics. The number of Indian nationals recognised as refugees and granted asylum during the period 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1994 was five, and 30 were granted exceptional leave during the same period. Information for the years 1985 to 1993 is given in tables 3.1 and 3.2 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin: "Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 1993", issue 17/94 published on 14th July 1994, a copy of which is in the Library.
Long Lartin Prison
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the death in Long Lartin prison of Mr. Norman Manning; if he has established whether it was racially motivated; and if he will instigate further police investigations into the causes of his death.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
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Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated16 February 1995:The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the death of Mr. Norman Manning in Long Lartin prison on 29 September last year.
Mr. Manning's death was immediately reported to the police and their investigation started straight away. These inquiries are still in progress and as yet nobody has been charged with any offence. The conduct of the police investigation is a matter for the Chief Officer of the West Mercia Constabulary.
I am unable to say whether or not further inquiries may be necessary, nor in these circumstances can I comment on the motive for the killing.
Asylum Seekers
Mr. Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 3 February, Official Report, columns 896 98, (1) how many and what proportion of in-country asylum seekers who were refused both asylum and exceptional leave to remain in 1992 to 1994 have been removed; how many of the balance remain in detention; how many others are required to report regularly to the police or immigration authorities; and in how many cases their addresses are unknown to the authorities;
(2) how many and what proportion of those citizens of foreign countries, whose in-country application for asylum or exceptional leave to remain were refused in the years 1992 to 1994 have not been removed or left voluntarily; what assessment he has made of the reasons for this; what steps he proposes to take to secure their removal; what reasons underlie the exclusion of people in this category from the statistics published by his Department for inward immigration to the United Kingdom; and if he will now publish revised figures in respect of each of the past five years including those and other categories of illegal entrants known to his Department
Mr. Nicholas Baker: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his question on 3 February 1995, Official Report, columns 896 98, which provided the available information on the number of refusals of in-country applications for asylum in 1992 1994, and the number of removals and voluntary departures in 1992 94, of failed in-country asylum applicants. Information before 1992 is not available. Those removed are not necessarily included in the figures for those refused in the same time period and thus it is not possible to determine the proportion of refusals who were not removed.
In-country asylum applicants are included in the Department's statistics on the number entering the United Kingdom who are subject to immigration control, most of whom enter as visitors or students. These figures are published in table 3.1 of the Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics 1993". In addition, separate statistics on asylum applications are published annually in the Home Office statistical bulletin "Asylum Statistics UK 1993". Copies of both are available in the Library.
The available figures for departures relating to those refused asylum or exceptional leave to remain are for those removed or who embark voluntarily after deportation or illegal entry action has commenced against them. The difference in the published statistics between the number refused asylum or exceptional leave to remain and the number removed or who voluntarily departed in a given year will include persons who are awaiting the
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outcome of an appeal; are allowed to remain after a successful appeal; have withdrawn their claim for asylum; have left the country before steps had been taken to enforce their departure; and those granted permission to stay in another capacity, for example, marriage.Removal of failed asylum seekers who fail to leave of their own volition is possible only after all rights of appeal in this country have been exhausted. At that stage, the immigration service will take the appropriate steps to trace and remove failed asylum seekers. As at 30 January 1995, 225 persons who had applied for asylum in country were detained, pending the outcome of an appeal or awaiting removal. In addition, as at 13 February 1995, 1,773 persons who had applied for asylum in-country and had been refused asylum or exceptional leave between 1992 to 1994, were placed on restriction orders or granted temporary admission, requiring them to report to the police on a regular basis and/or restricting their place of residence. A further 220 persons are known to have absconded or are classified as missing.
Mr. Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 3 February, Official Report, columns 896 98, by what date at the present rate of progress, he expects to clear the backlog of 55,255 applications for asylum dependants, outstanding at 31 December 1994; of these how many entered the United Kingdom claiming some grounds other than as asylum seekers; and how many are being detained under secure conditions.
Mr. Nicholas Baker: The rate at which the backlog of undecided asylum applications can be reduced will depend in part on the number of applications received in the future. It is therefore not possible to give a reliable forecast of when it might be reduced to a minimum working level. Information is not available on the proportion of the backlog that applied in country for asylum.
As at 30 January 1995, 139 persons were detained who are awaiting an initial decision on their asylum applications.
Wild Birds
Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences against wild birds were alleged, and how many of these resulted in successful prosecutions, in each year since 1990; (2) how many cases of the persecution of birds of prey have been recorded in each year since 1990.
Mr. Maclean: The number of cases of persecution of birds of prey is not recorded centrally.
The numbers of defendants prosecuted and convicted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 from 1990 to 1993, latest available, for offences related to birds are given in the table. Information is not collected centrally as to the species involved.
Number of defendants prosecuted and convicted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 of offences related to birds, 1990-93
England and Wales
Prosecutions Convictions
Offence description |1990 |1991 |1992 |1993 |1990 |1991 |1992 |1993
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Protection of wild birds [Section 1] |35 |45 |44 |48 |24 |33 |33 |32
Protection of nests and eggs of wild birds
[Section 1] |5 |14 |9 |16 |2 |12 |7 |8
Illegal entry into bird sanctuaries [Section 3] |2 |3 |- |2 |- |2 |- |2
Protection of wild birds in sanctuaries [Section 3] |- |1 |- |- |- |1 |- |-
Protection of the nests and eggs of wild birds in
sanctuaries [Section 3] |3 |1 |- |1 |3 |- |- |1
Prohibition of certain methods of killing or taking
wild birds [Section 5] |11 |7 |7 |10 |9 |6 |5 |8
Protection of captive birds [Section 8] |7 |1 |4 |3 |7 |- |4 |2
Fire Service College
Mr. McAllion: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present financial position of the Fire Service college; what assessment he has made of its future position and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Baker: The Fire Service college became a next steps agency, operating as a trading fund on 1 April 1992. The published accounts for the financial year 1993 94 show a deficit of £2.7 million. A similar loss is predicted for 1994 95.
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With the assistance of external consultants, a review is being undertaken of options for the college's future status and financial structure.Football Offences
Mr. Pendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminal proceedings involving alleged offences contained in sections 2, 3 and 4 of the Football (Offences) Act 1991 were pursued in 1993 and 1994; and how many convictions were secured.
Mr. Maclean: Information for 1992 and 1993 is given in the table below.
The 1994 data will not be available until the autumn.
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Number of defendants prosecuted and convicted of offences under The Football (Offences) Act 1991, 1992 and 1993
England and Wales
1992 1993
Offence description |Prosecutions |Convictions |Prosecutions |Convictions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Throwing a missile at or towards the playing area or any
area in which spectators or other persons may be
present [Section 2] |34 |27 |31 |24
Taking part in indecent or racialist chanting [Section 3] |31 |21 |17 |10
Going onto the playing or adjacent area without lawful
authority or lawful excuse [Section 4] |275 |246 |268 |218
Metropolitan Police Committee
Mr. Austin-Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the names of nominees to the Metropolitan police committee from the London Boroughs Association and the Association of London Authorities;
(2) which serving members of local authorities in London were appointed to the Metropolitan police committee; and what was the source of their nomination or recommendation;
(3) if the local authority associations for London were consulted on the composition of, or invited to submit nominations for the Metropolitan police committee: and if he will make a statement; (4) how many nominations to the Metropolitan police committee submitted by the Association of London Authorities or London Boroughs Association were accepted.
Mr. Maclean: I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question from the hon. Member for East
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Hampshire (Mr. Mates) on 9 February, columns 382-83. Two of the 11 members of the Metropolitan police committee whose appointment my right hon. and learned Friend announced on 9 February are also serving members of local authorities in London. Councillor Heaster was suggested by the leader of Wandsworth borough and Councillor Mrs. O'Neill applied directly. A large number of organisations with an interest in the policing of London, including the London local authority associations, were invited to suggest the names of people who might be invited to apply for membership of the Metropolitan police committee but we made it clear that members would be appointed individually, and not as representatives of any particular body. There was no system of nomination. The names suggested by the London Boroughs Association were Councillor Mrs Hanham, Councillor Tope and Councillor Ms Walker; and those by the Association of London Authorities were Councillor Sawyer, Councillor Harris, Councillor Colman and Councillor Ms Hughes. None were appointed.Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many payments have been made to applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in 1993 94; and how much was paid out; (2) how many payments have been offered to applicants to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in 1994 95; and how much in total has been offered;
(3) what was the average time taken to make an offer under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in1994 95: and what has been the average time taken to make an offer under the tariff scheme.
Mr. Maclean: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board made 40,635 monetary awards in 1993 94, paying out £165.111 million in compensation.
In the period 1 April 1994 to 31 January 1995, approximately 33,000 offers of payment totalling £129 million were made under the old, 1990 scheme, and some 1,560 offers of award totalling £4 million were made under the tariff scheme.
Comparable information about the average time taken to make awards under the two schemes is not available.
Horseracing Betting Levy
Mr. Pendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what sums were raised by the off-course levy collected by the Horseracing Betting Levy Board in 1993 and 1994; and what sums were collected via the 0.25 per cent. duty reduction available to horseracing over the same periods.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: The yield for the 32nd levy scheme was £51.6 million; figures for the previous two schemes were £46.9 million--31st levy scheme--and £36 million--30th scheme. The amount made available to the horseracing industry from the reduction in general betting duty in 1992 is not calculated centrally. The effect of the reduction was taken into account in determining the structure of the 31st levy scheme and in subsequent levy settlements.
British Greyhound Fund
Mr. Pendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what receipts have been paid into the British Greyhound Fund for 1994, or to the latest available date: and if he will estimate the percentage that they represent of the total sum that would have been available if all off-course betting shops had contributed their 0.25 per cent. of betting duty during that period;
(2) what have been the main areas to benefit from the distribution of funds by the British Greyhound Fund since its establishment.
Mr. Michael Forsyth: I understand that the fund received income of £1.9 million in 1993 94 as payments from bookmakers in respect of the voluntary agreement arising from the duty concession in the 1992 Budget. Figures are not available centrally for the sum which would have been raised if all off-course bookmakers were contributing in full to the fund.
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I understand that the fund allocates money to benefit areas such as prize money, integrity services and improvements to tracks, including maintenance and lighting.Mr. Habid Ur Rehman
Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Mr. Habid Ur Rehman, the sponsor of his wife, Mrs. Amina Bibi, who has applied to the United Kingdom post in Islamabad to join her husband in the United Kingdom--Ref: IMM/C 3835--will be interviewed by immigration officials at Leeds/Bradford airport; when his Department recorded any request from Islamabad for Mr. Rehman to be interviewed; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Baker: The request from the British high commission in Islamabad for an interview with Mr. Rehman was received by the Home Office on 7 November 1994 and the papers are, at present, in a queue at Leeds/Bradford airport awaiting the arrangements of an interview. There are other similar cases at Leeds/Bradford airport which have been awaiting a sponsor interview longer than Mr. Rehman and to offer him an earlier interview date would serve only to disadvantage others in the queue.
Prison Escapes
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 2 February, Official Report, column 810, into which prison category escapes from prison in (a) 1979, (b) 1984 85 and (c) 1993 94 figures fell; and if the escapes include escapes from escorts to prison.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 13 February 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs Barbara Roche, dated 16 February 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question, pursuant to his Answer of 2 February, Official Report, Column 810, into which prison category escapes from prisons in (a) 1979, (b) 1984 85 and (c) 1993 94 figures fell; and if the escapes include escapes from escorts to prisons.
The tables below show the revised figures for the escapes from Prison Service establishments and prison escorts that occurred in the calendar year 1979, the period 1 January 1984 to 31 March 1985 and for the financial year ending 31 March 1994. The figures for 1979 and 1984 85 have been revised in line with my answer to your Question FO1470 I.
1 January 1979-31
December 1979
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Escapes from Category B Prisons |12
Escapes from Category C Prisons |94
Escapes from Closed Borstals |118
Escapes from Closed Detention Centres |8
Sub Total |232
Escapes from Escort |94
Note:
Information on Borstal and Detention Centres Escapes from Escort is not
available.
Fifteen month period
due to change from
calendar to
Financial Year 1
January 1984-31
March 1985
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Escapes from Category B Prisons |15
Escapes from Category C Prisons |105
Escapes from closed YCCs |73
Escapes from Closed Detention Centres |14
Escapes from Closed Female Establishments |4
Sub-total |211
Escapes from escort |195
Total |406
1 April 1993-31
March 1994
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Escapes from Category B Prisons |24
Escapes from Category C Prisons |96
Escapes from Closed YOIs |50
Escapes from Closed Female Establishments |1
Sub-total |171
Escapes from escort |<1>102
Total |273
<1> This figure does not include 23 escapes from escorts which were not
the responsibility of the Prison Service prior to Agency status.
Prisoners
Mrs. Peacock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what notice is given to prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons in the United Kingdom before a cell search takes place.
Mr. Michael Forsyth [holding answer 14 February 1995]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mrs. Elizabeth Peacock, dated 16 February 1995 :
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the searching of prisoners' cells.
If a prisoner is available when a cell is to be searched, he or she will be informed that the search is to take place. He or she will be allowed to view the search from the cell doorway, under the observation of staff.
The Woodcock enquiry recommended that in future at all closed prisons prisoners should be excluded from the cell during search, to avoid intimidation. This was part of a wider recommendation on changes to searching procedures.
WALES
Local Government Employees
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the (a) population, (b) number of employees, (c) number of employees per 1,000 population and (d) political party in control in each local authority; and if he will post the answer on his Department's pages on the Government's world wide web server, "www.open.gov.uk".
Mr. Redwood: The latest available information is shown in the following table. Local authority staffing figures are maintained by the Local Government Management Board. There are currently no arrangements for providing the information in the way requested.
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