asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the number of planning decisions considered by his Department in each of the last six years;(2) what was the number of planning decisions in Wales decided by inspectors under statutory authority in each of the last six years.

The total numbers of planning appeals in Wales decided in the years 1973–78 inclusive were as follows:

1973	511
1974	514
1975	646
1976	523
1977	481
1978	503

Of these the numbers decided by Inspectors were:

1973	330
1974	413
1975	473
1976	413
1977	374
1978	398

The figures for 1979 are not yet finalised. I shall write to the right hon. and learned Member as soon as they are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average time taken between referral of a planning matter to his Department, and decision. either by himself or by inspectors acting under statutory authority.

In 1979 the average time taken was:

Secretary of State decisions
By Inquiry	54 weeks
By Written method	51 weeks
Inspectors' decisions
By Inquiry	34 weeks
By Written method	31 weeks