asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people are employed by the county and district councils at the latest convenient date in the following counties: Avon, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Gloucestershire and Cornwall; and what this figure represents expressed in the ratio of county ratepayers per employee.

The information requested is not available to my Department, but the county and district councils concerned may be able to provide it on request by the hon. Member.