HC Deb 14 July 1982 vol 27 cc399-401W
Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales which areas or towns failed to gain endorsement for special attention by the Development Board for Rural Wales within the board's area.

1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 (provisional) 1982–83 (Estimate)
£m
Grant in Aid 1.2 3.1 4.9 3.6 3.4 4.8
National Loans Fund 3.1 3.3 3.5 2.2 2.9 2.3
Housing Subsidies 1.2 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9
5.5 7.9 10.0 7.5 1.8 9.0

The Board's resources—and hence expenditure—were augmented in 1978–79 and 1979–80 by transfers from other programmes and by special construction packages.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The board's overall policy of concentrating on Newtown, growth areas, special towns and key towns, together with a definition of those areas and towns is set out in its 1979 policy statement.

Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how much of the area in Mid-Wales covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales has had assisted area status removed under the new arrangements.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

Eight travel to work areas wholly within the board's area will lose their assisted area status on 1 August 1982, as will the Llandeilo travel-to-work area, part of which is in the board's area.

Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total grant to the Development Board for Rural Wales per 100 persons unemployed in the board's area in each year since 1979.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

In cash terms the net expenditure of the Development Board for Rural Wales per hundred persons unemployed in the board's area, based on the average number of persons registered as unemployed in each financial year, since 1978–79 has been as follows:

£ million
1978–79 0.178
1979–80 0.249
1980–81 0.140
* 1981–82 0.110
* provisional.

Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether assistance to each travel-to-work area within the area covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales reflects the percentage rate of unemployment.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

A wide range of factors including unemployment is considered in determining the levels of assistance within the area covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales. In determining assisted area status all the factors laid down in the Industry Act 1972 are taken into account.

Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what will be the total grant to the Development Board for Rural Wales for the year following 1 August; and what were the figures in each comparable period since the board was established.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

The budget provision of the Development Board for Rural Wales is allocated to financial years. In cash terms the board's net expenditure funded through the Welsh Office for each financial year has been as follows:

Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest figures for unemployment in each of the travel-to-work areas covered by the Development Board for Rural Wales.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

On 10 June 1982 the numbers unemployed were as follows:

Travel to Work Area Numbers Unemployed
Aberystwyth 1,136
Lampeter/Llandyssul* 1,099
Cardigan* 772
Barmouth 328
Blaenau Ffestiniog* 312
Tywyn 121
Brecon 546
Welshpool 695
Newtown 1,010
Machynlleth 246
Llandrindod Wells 796
Llandeilo* 385
* Only part of the travel to work area is within the DBRW area.

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