§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for each year since 1978–79 the total number of appointments of all kinds it fell within his power to make, whether or not such appointments actually fell to be made in the year in question.
§ Mr. ButcherMy right hon. Friend's predecessors as Secretaries of State for Trade and for Industry had the power to make 1,651 appointments as at 31 December 1979, 1,576 appointments as at 31 December 1980, 1,452 appointments as at 31 December 1981 and 1,396 appointments as at 31 December 1982. Equivalent figures for 1983 are not yet available.