HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 c239W
Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will outline the proposals, referred to in the White Paper, "British Steel Corporation: the Road to Viability", for assisting local authorities in England and Wales seriously affected by closures of British Steel Corporation works.

Mr. Shore

Compensation for loss of rate income will be paid to local authorities in England and Wales in respect of closures in the years 1977–78 and 1978–79 at the iron and steel making plants mentioned in Command 7149 (i.e. Hartlepool, East Moors and Ebbw Vale) and in respect of closures at other steel making plants within the same period arising from the policies set out in Command 7149.

Compensation will be paid to reflect fully the rates authorities would have

Registered Cars and Taxis (thousands) Cars and Taxis per thousand population Registered Commercial* vehicles (thousands) Commercial* vehicles per thousand population
United Kingdom 14,580 261 1,801 32
Belgium 2,574 260 226 23
Denmark 1,338 264 245 48
France 15,900 300 2,092 40
Germany 18,920 308 1,122 18
Ireland 556 176 54 17
Italy 15,925 283 1,613 29
Luxembourg 131 364 10 28
Netherlands 3,922 285 320 23
All EEC Countries 73,846 286 7,483 29
Japan 18,476 164 10,750 95
United States of America† 106,077 497 25,781 121
* Rigid motor vehicles only.
† 1975.