§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of completed public sector construction contracts in England and Wales, the South-West Region and the South-West Development Area, respectively, in 1973.
ORDERS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION WORK IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR RECEIVED BY CONTRACTORS £million (current prices) £per head of employed population England and Wales South-West England and Wales South-West 1973 … … 2,541 203 126 135 1974 … … 2,568 254 127 169 1975 … … 3,165 216 157 144 1976 … … 3,375 204 170 136 Orders are subject to wide annual fluctuations, but the evidence available suggests that the level of public sector construction expenditure in the South-West is similar to that for England and Wales as a whole.
§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has issued any circulars or letters to local authorities instructing them to blacklist any contractors in the construction industry for alleged breaches of (a) stage 1, (b) stage 2 and (c) the present arrangements; if so, on what dates; and how many firms were involved.
908Wof the staff currently employed at the Palace of Westminster; and what was the cost of the same to public funds in 1964, 1970, 1974 and at the latest convenient date, respectively.
§ Mr. Foot,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 10th November 1977; Vol. 938, c.157],gave the following information
1974, 1975, 1976 and the year ended June 1977; what was this cost per head of the insured population; and if he is satisfied that it amounted to a fair regional balance.
§ Mr. FreesonI regret this information is not available in the form requested; but public sector orders for work in the South-West Region and in England and Wales generally are as follows: