§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage of hard-to-fill vacancies over the previous 12 months in 1994 and 1995. [15560]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesFigures relating to number of vacancies over the periods are not available. However the report "Skill Needs in Britain, 1995" published by the Department for Education and Employment indicates that the percentage of establishments with 25 or more employees in Wales reported hard-to-fill vacancies in 1994 was 16 per cent. The figure of 35 per cent. quoted in that report for 1995 is not directly comparable due to changes in the questions asked. A comparable 1995 figure is not available.