§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how the synthetic index which ranks the regions of Europe in order of the intensity of their problems is calculated with regard to Wales.
§ Mr. Peter Walker[holding anwer 23 May 1988]: The method of calculation of the synthetic index which forms part of the 3rd periodic report published by the European Commission (COM(87)230 final) is described at annex 2.3.1-D of the report. It is applied to level II regions; statistical information is made available by the United Kingdom Government, but the calculation of the index is entirely the responsibility of the Commission.