HC Deb 23 July 1979 vol 971 cc74-5W
Mr. Alec Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what proportions and numbers of the employed population of Wales were in intermediate areas, development areas, and special development areas, respectively, on 16 July; and what will be the comparative figures when the Government's proposed changes in assisted area boundaries and gradings are implemented.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The latest available estimates of employee population covering individual local office areas in Wales are those for mid-1976. Assuming that those figures remained constant, the figures for 16 July 1979 would have been as follows:

Employee population
Numbers Per cent.
Intermediate areas 153,448 14.3
Development areas 642,929 59.8
Special development areas 278,894 25.9
Non-assisted areas — —

Similarly, the figures for the dates on which the Government's proposed changes will take effect would be as follows:

(i) Now
Employee population
Numbers Per cent.
Intermediate areas 135,334 12.6
Development areas 619,829 57.6
Special development areas 320,108 29.8
Non-assisted areas — —
(ii) 1 AUGUST 1980
Employee population
Numbers Per cent.
Intermediate areas 434,547 40.4
Development areas 502,341 46.7
Special development areas 138,383 12.9
Non-assisted areas — —
(iii) 1 AUGUST 1982—SUBJECT TO REVIEW
Employee population
Numbers Per cent.
Intermediate areas 369,896 34.4
Development areas 501,725 46.7
Special development areas 138,383 12.9
Non-assisted areas 65,267 6.0