asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will update the data in the 1971 census of distribution pertaining to shop floor space; and if, in the case of Scotland, he will bring the information into line with the reorganised local government boundaries.

The latest available information is that published in Parts 2 to 12 of the report on the 1971 census of distribution, copies of which are in the Library. This is on the basis of the local authority areas then in existence. Any corresponding data collected in the future will be analysed on the basis of local government boundaries at that time.