asked the Secretary of State for Wales what amount of rate support from central funds will be provided in Wales in 1979–80 ; what this amount will be per head of population in that year ; and what amount he expects to be so provided in the current year.

It is not possible to give estimates of the total rate support grant for 1979–80 because the allocation of resources element will depend on the rate levy of individual authorities. However, it is expected that the per capita payment of needs element in Wales in 1979–80 will be £97·00. Rate support grant for 1978–79 is expected to total £510 million, which is about £184 per head.