§ Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what percentage of the population of Wales is employed in the service industries; what amount was collected in selective employment tax in Wales in the year 1970–71 and is 253W expected to be collected in the year 1971–72; and what estimates have been made of the effect on Welsh employment prospects of the reduction in this tax.
§ Mr. Peter Thomas56 per cent. of Welsh employees are in service industries but only 27 per cent. in industries bearing selective employment tax. The net yield of S.E.T. in Wales in 1970–71 is estimated at about £18 million. It is not possible to say what will be collected in 1971–72, or to make estimates of the effect on Welsh employment prospects of the reduction.