§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what assessment he has made of poverty and deprivation levels in Wales; which indicators were used in making the assessment; and if he will publish the data and his assessment of it; [1545]
(2) if he will make it his policy to compile and publish an equivalent for Wales of the Department of the Environment Index of Local Conditions. [1544]
§ Mr. Win GriffithsThe Department publishes an Index of Socio-economic Conditions for each Unitary Authority in Wales, based mainly on 1991 Census data, which is similar to the Department of the Environment's Index of Local Conditions. Officials are currently discussing possible improvements to the Welsh Office Index, including ways of updating it, with officers from Welsh local authorities. A copy of the Welsh Office Index, including an explanatory note listing the factors used, has been placed in the Library.