asked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the percentage male unemployment in the Swansea group, in West Glamorgan and in Wales as a whole in May 1979 and at the latest available date.

In May 1979 the rate in the Swansea travel-to-work area was 8·3 per cent., in West Glamorgan 7·4 per cent. and in Wales 8·5 per cent. The corresponding figures for 14 January 1982 are 19·6 per cent., 18·4 per cent. and 19 per cent.

Are not those appalling figures for the rise in male unemployment clear evidence that the destruction of the manufacturing base in West Glamorgan, and in Wales as a whole, has been caused by the Government's monetarist policies. When will the Secretary of State raise his voice in the Cabinet in favour of greater growth and an end to this tragic waste of human resources?

I agree that the figures are serious, and it is an expression of that concern that I have, for example, today announced a record urban programme directed towards industrial infrastructure and the easing of the consequences of these problems. A total of £15 million represents a 45 per cent. increase in expenditure over last year and is more than double the amount spent in 1979–80. The hon. Gentleman may also agree that there are encouraging signs from the 300 inquiries and the 40 allocations in the enterprise zone that a good deal of new industry is moving into his area.

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is general admiration for the way in which he has fought in the Cabinet for Wales? In view of the immense damage being done by the ASLEF strike to the prospect for jobs in the railways industry in Wales, and, still more, for those industries dependent on rail, such as coal and steel, will my right hon. Friend endeavour to ascertain from the right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones) whether he agrees with the total support expressed by the right hon. Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Booth) for the ASLEF strike?

Fortunately, as my hon. Friend knows, I have no responsibility for the views of Labour Members. He will understand, even if they do not, that a strike of this kind must be gravely damaging not just to the railway industry but to all other industries that depend on the railways.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that if Nissan were to locate its motor car project in Wales, some hope for the future would be generated? Did the Minister read in The Sunday Times yesterday that Lord Marsh is advising Nissan? Has he met Lord Marsh, and will he make a statement about the Nissan plant at some date?

I have no further information about the Nissan project. I have over the past few months met both the chairman and the deputy chairman of Nissan. The Government have made it clear that it is for the company to choose its location, and we do not yet know whether the company will go ahead with the project.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer that he gave my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East(Mr. Anderson) will only confirm the public view of the disgraceful employment position in Wales? Will he use his influence with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry in asking him to reverse the decision made by the previous Secretary of State for Industry and restore regional aids, thereby possibly lowering unemployment to what it was when this Government came into office?

I note the hon. Gentleman's comment about our decisions, but I also point out that last year alone the Welsh Development Agency completed more factories than it had built in the three years up to 1979, and it is likely to do the same thing this year. What is more, a record number of those factories were allocated in the past 12 months.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with the progress made so far with the sale of council houses to sitting tenants in Wales.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I will not be satisfied until all public sector tenants in Wales who wish to exercise their right to buy, and qualify to do so under the Housing Act 1980, have been able to complete their purchases.

What percentage of all applicants have received offer notices so far?

Some 49 per cent. of applicants have received offer notices. My right hon. Friend and I wrote to local authorities asking them to ensure that all those who had applied to buy their homes before 3 April 1981 should have had an offer notice by the end of last year, and much progress has been made in that direction.

Has the Minister noticed that all his Conservative colleagues have tabled questions relating to the sale of council houses? Does that mean that the Conservative Party and the Welsh Office now regard that as the most important issue facing Wales? Is not the most important issue the fact that Wales is faced with catastrophic unemployment, the like of which has not been seen in Britain for 50 years?

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not regard the interest of the 13 per cent. of Welsh council tenants—38,621 people—who have applied for the right to buy their homes as of great importance, which my hon. Friends clearly do.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the most recent unemployment figures for Wales, Mid-Glamorgan and Aberdare; and what percentage increase this represents over May 1979.

On 14 January 1982 the figures were 176,180, 34,009, and 3,991 respectively, which represented increases of 112.3 per cent., 119.8 per cent., and 103.5 per cent. respectively over May 1979.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the long-term decline of British industry has accelerated while the Government have been in office, and that their deflationary policies have further damaged the level of investment in British industry? Will he use his good offices in the Cabinet to ensure that the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduces a Budget to help solve the employment problem, rather than one to harm it, as every Conservative Budget has done?

The long-term problems of Britain and industry have come home to roost while the Government have been in office. However, it is not this Government's actions that have caused that, but the neglect of many problems for many years. It is an expression of my concern to remedy the position in Wales that I have authorised the Welsh Development Agency to announce today its sixth programme. It will primarily be concentrated on Mid-Glamorgan, Gwynedd, Dyfed and Clwyd—areas outside steel closure areas. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that a major part of that programme—90,000 sq. ft.—will be carried out in his constituency.

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the estimate given recently by Mr. Ivor Richard on BBC Radio Wales that 50,000 Welsh jobs will disappear if the Labour Party succeeds in pulling Britain out of the EEC?

It is clear that a large part of the overseas investment that is so important to the Welsh economy has, on the admission of the companies concerned, come to Britain to enter the European market. Many of those responsible for such companies have said that if Britain pulls out of Europe that would prejudice their companies and further inward investment.

If the Secretary of State wishes to give that side of the argument about membership of the EEC, would it not be honest if he told the House about the large numbers of jobs that have been lost in Wales as a direct consequence of Britain's membership? I draw his attention——

What about the EEC?

I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention and that of his hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones), who likes to intervene from a sedentary position, to the fact that the Hoover factory had intended to supply washing machines to the Common Market, but to date it has not manufactured one screw.

The right hon. Gentleman may not be aware that the Hoover company would have had to overcome European competition, whether or not Britain had been a member of the EEC. Britain's membership gives Hoover the right of access to European markets on equal terms. If it provides its goods at the right price, quality and time, it can exploit that market.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales have been without a job for (a) six months and (b) 12 months; what is the percentage rise in both figures since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.

On 8 October 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, 86,754 people had been unemployed for more than six months, of whom 50,078 had been unemployed for more than 12 months. The increase since April 1979 is 117.7 per cent. and 119.8 per cent. respectively.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not ashamed that 87,000 Welsh people have been out of work for six months or more? What hope can he give to those many thousands of middle-aged men, especially those in the steel areas, who have been made redundant and may not work again unless the Government's policies are radically changed?

Clearly the best hope for such people is to attract new industry to Wales—an aim in which the Government have been remarkably successful during the past year, when almost 300 new Government factories have been allocated. I am glad that at least Clwyd county council appears to realise the attraction that that part of Wales and Wales generally offer new industry, as it acknowledges the 200 new firms that have moved to Clwyd during the past four years. It also draws attention to the fine motorway and other benefits, such as financial incentives, that are available to firms which take the sensible decision to move to Wales.

Notwithstanding the right hon. Gentleman's remarks, does he accept that unemployment is appalling? The only short-term way to improvement is by an intensive capital investment programme. In those circumstances, why have the Government screwed down so hard the capital investment programme of local authorities, especially the county councils?

I have just announced the result of the major capital programme of the Welsh Development Agency—which in one year has built more factories than the Labour Government built in three—and a record urban aid programme directed at local authorities to assist local authority projects, which shows the inaccuracy of the hon. Gentleman's point. In the presence of the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), I am especially glad to announce that as part of the urban aid programme, and through local authorities, the Government are giving substantial assistance to the industry department of University College, Cardiff, which is doing valuable work in developing new products and projects in South Wales.

I am delighted with that last piece of information from my right hon. Friend. Will he commiserate with the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Jones), who clearly wishes Britain to remain within the EEC to obtain the Datsun factory either for his area or for Wales generally? Is it not amazing that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Rowlands) and the right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones)—both of whom were members of the Labour Government of the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan)—are now so opposed to what they supported when in Government?

Some of the views expressed by the Opposition are very odd, especially about projects that originate outside Britain. I know how pleased my hon. Friend will he with the important announcement today by the Chemical Bank—the sixth largest bank in the United States—to locate its back-room operations in Cardiff. That development will provide 350 jobs and will be of immense importance to the capital city, because it will lead the way to the commercial development that is so important to Wales.

The Opposition agree with the Secretary of State about the attractiveness of Wales for industry. Is he aware that our complaint is that we do not have a Government who match up to the natural advantages of Wales? We have unemployment that is not only excessively high but excessively long-lasting. Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the directors of social services, which outlines the increased deaths, increased admissions to psychiatric hospitals and the increased number of prison sentences, which are all social consequences likely to occur as a result of long-lasting and high unemployment?

Once again I must point out to the right hon. Gentleman that a main objective of the urban programme is to help social projects and to meet social needs such as he described. This year's allocation of over £15 million—more than double the allocation during his period in office—is proof of our concern about the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he has had any recent discussions with the chairman of the British Steel Corporation concerning the Llanwern steelworks.

I last met the chairman in December 1981.

In view of the public praise that the Secretary of State has given the workers of Llanwern for their efforts to improve efficiency and overall production in recent months, will he now urge upon his colleagues in the Cabinet and upon the chairman of the British Steel Corporation the need for major investment schemes at Llanwern, especially in the concast plant, so that he can streamline the steelmaking process and enable the works to keep abreast of its principal competitors?

I need not urge that point too strongly on the chairman of the BSC, because at the weekend he went to South Wales to make a speech about the desirability of substantial investment such as that described by the hon. Gentleman. The Government are awaiting the final information about the corporate plan. When we receive it we shall consider what the chairman has to say.

Does the Secretary of State agree that great efforts have been made in the South Wales steel plants, both at Llanwern and at Port Talbot, to reduce production costs, and that the cost of steel now produced there is equal to the best European standards? In view of those efforts, will he press for finance to be made available to facilitate the introduction of continuous casting in Llanwern so that the great efforts that have achieved so much success can be built upon, and the success of steelmaking in South Wales ensured?

As I have just pointed out to the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Hughes), we are awaiting the information that is required to complete our consideration of the corporate plan. Until we have that information and the chairman's proposals, I cannot comment on the hon. Gentleman's detailed suggestion. I have gone out of my way to acknowledge the enormous improvement in productivity and performance at those plants. That improvement is likely to form the foundation for future strength and I welcome what the chairman of the BSC said on the subject at the weekend.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the total increase since May 1979 in unemployment in the Llanelli employment area in percentage and numerical terms.

Between May 1979 and January 1982 unemployment in the Llanelli travel-to-work area increased by 4,018 or by 163.3 per cent.

Is the Secretary of State aware that those figures show how far the Government's policies have almost destroyed the industrial base of the Llanelli constituency? Is he further aware that the Manpower Services Commission is proposing to make matters worse by closing the Llanelli skillcentre? Will he make it clear to the new chairman of the Manpower Services Commission, who I believe held the distinguished post of political adviser to the former Secretary of State for Industry, that the closure of the Llanelli skillcentre is unacceptable and intolerable?

I am very concerned about the position in Llanelli and the sharp increase in unemployment, which was especially influenced by the Duport Steelworks Ltd. closure. That is why I announced a factory programme in the area that will cost about £8.5 million. I have also provided finance to accelerate the vital road link to the M4.

Did the Secretary of State find time yesterday to read, in the central part of the business section of The Sunday Times, that industrial production in Britain had already peaked last autumn? What effect will that have upon unemployment in Llanelli in 1982?

I did not have the pleasure of reading The Sunday Times at the weekend. Even if I had, I am not sure that I would necessarily have accepted its conclusion. I am more influenced by the increasing evidence of a sharp rise in the number of inquiries, the allocations of factories and the general investment in new projects in Wales.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that the Llanelli skillcentre may be one of the few matters on which Welsh Members on both sides of the House agree? Is he aware that it must be nonsense to consider closing the skillcentre —which was saved in 1980 when there were about 3,000 unemployed—when now there are 6,478 unemployed? I hope that the Secretary of State will do more than discuss the matter with the Manpower Services Commission—that he will do his best to lean heavily on it to keep the skillcentre open.

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, I made those points to the chairman in 1980 when the Manpower Services Commission first made the proposal and asked him to consider carefully the future of the centre. On that basis, the MSC decided to reconsider and review the position and consult after an interval. That is what it is now doing. It is important that that consultation should go forward, not just so that views such as those expressed by the right hon. Gentleman are clearly on the record, but that the proper use of the centre can be considered if there is a future for it. Those issues are being considered by the MSC now. I shall draw to the attention of the chairman and the new chairman the points made by right hon. and hon. Members in the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to ensure that local housing authorities spend the net proceeds of council house sales for housing purposes.

Decisions on the spending of the net proceeds from council house sales are a matter for individual local authorities, but the receipts present authorities with a fine opportunity to make a real impact on the housing needs of their areas. I hope that they will not fail to take full advantage of it.

How much money is available to local authorities? Is not a substantial sum now available to them which they could use for either house building or house repairs? Should not charges that they are being starved of money for that purpose be seen in that context?

The amount about which we are talking is £33 million, which compares with total allocations of £97.8 million this year. My hon. Friend is right to highlight the inconsistency of authorities which complain of inadequate resources and yet have the possibility of obtaining resources from the sale of council houses. They can use that money—I hope that they do—to renew improvement grants and to pay the maximum permitted amount of grant.

What are the average net proceeds of the sale of a council house, and what is the cost to the local authority, the ratepayers and the tenants of replacing such a house?

The average net proceeds are about £8,000. We have gone over the ground before. Of course it costs more to build a new house, but I must stress to the hon. Gentleman that the Government have advanced many schemes for low-cost home ownership. He could study them to advantage.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many public sector tenants had completed the purchase of their homes by 31 December 1981 under the provisions of the Housing Act 1980; and what is his estimate of the current rate of completion of the sales.

Full returns are not yet available, but I estimate that the total of completed sales will amount to 7,000 to 8,000 as at the end of December 1981, and that they will continue at a rate of not less than 3,000 to 4,000 per quarter.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the figure given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox) of 49 per cent. of applicants having received offer notices is disgracefully low? Will he tell the House what steps he will take to get the figure moving in the right direction? Will he use some of the powers that he is given under the Act?

I regret that I cannot agree that 49 per cent. is a disgracefully low figure. In fact, it is a very good percentage. However, of course we shall do everything within our power to increase it. We wrote to the local authorities in August asking them to send offer notices to those who had applied to buy their own homes before April 1981. When we see how many houses had been sold by the end of the last year, we shall consider sending further notices to local authorities, which will seek to ensure further completions.

How long does it take the Welsh Office to reply to requests from local authorities on housing policy and sanctions? Is it as long as it took the Department to respond to a letter from Gwynedd county council, which it received last March and to which it was not able to reply until last week?

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that local authorities have been inundated with applications by people who want to buy their council houses—38,000 is a substantial figure. The hon. Gentleman knows that the Government gave the proposals in the memorandum from Gwynedd county council full consideration. We could not have had other than grave doubts about some of those proposals, because they affect the liberty of the subject. Some of those proposals might have resulted in penalties, which would have been much disliked. We do not believe that they would have been acceptable to the British public. Furthermore, some of the proposals would have hit at the value of existing properties in Wales.

Order. We are moving much too slowly.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current level of unemployment in Wales; what is the percentage increase since May 1979; and what steps he is taking to deal with this situation.

On a seasonally adjusted basis the current figure is 162,000, a rise of 99.5 per cent. since May 1979. Government policy remains to strengthen and improve the competitiveness of the economy so as to ensure viable and lasting jobs.

Is the Secretary of State not aware that the measures, which he mentioned today, to try to create further employment in Wales are completely insignificant when set against the true scale of the problem, of which the real magnitude is reflected in the fact that in Mid-Glamorgan there are 621 vacancies, while the number of unemployed there stands at 34,009? When will he realise that unemployment is a real problem in Wales? When will he pull his finger out and do something substantial about it?

I am doing something about it. A large proportion of the latest WDA programme is devoted to Mid-Glamorgan. It would be interesting to know what the hon. Gentleman would do about it. I noticed that on the only major occasion when there was an opportunity for his new alliance to express its views on employment matters, two of his colleagues from Wales voted with the Government, the hon. and learned Member for Abertillery (Mr. Thomas) voted against them and, characteristically, the hon. Gentleman was careful not to record his views.

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that, from the figures that he has announced, he is taking this country and Wales on a Freddie Laker flight to disaster? Does he not appreciate that we need a "Concorde" effort to put right the Welsh economy, not a two-hour helicopter flight?

More than anything else, what will put the economy to rights is the improved competitiveness of British industry, about which we rightly spoke when referring to the British Steel Corporation. Because of the recognition of the advantages of investing in Wales many outside companies are choosing to do so. That is why we are pleased to welcome a major commercial development in Wales today.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the factors operating against increased employment in Wales is the crushing burden of industrial rates on businesses? Is he further aware that there will be a general welcome for the courage that he has shown in putting a limit on industrial rates, even at the cost of an increase in domestic rates? Will he consider whether the "socially delightful party" is prepared to face such hard choices or has given any evidence of its readiness to do so?

I am grateful for what my hon. Friend has said. It is right that the rate support settlement for Wales this year has been reasonable and good. That has been recognised by local government in Wales, which has seen that if it follows responsible policies and controls its current expenditure it will get a good settlement and extra capital spending. It is right, against that background, to have switched resources from the domestic to the industrial ratepayer at this critical moment.

While we welcome the crumbs of comfort that the Secretary of State has offered today, including the new Chemical Bank in Cardiff, is it his assessment, at the end of this series of questions on unemployment, that there is no prospect of any substantial reduction in unemployment in Wales during the reasonable future?

I never make forecasts about unemployment. It is clear that there are signs that the economy is now moving out of recession. I cannot tell how long it will be before unemployment levels out and starts to fall. To speak of some of the measures and new investment that I have described as crumbs of comfort, particularly on a day when 350 jobs have been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's constituency, is slightly understating what we are achieving during this difficult period.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales.

On 22 December 1981, when I was able to discuss the board's proposals for expenditure and plans for the coming year.

Will my right hon. Friend give assurances that, prior to any downgrading of regional aid in Mid-Wales for 1982, there will be a further review and that particular attention will be paid to the problems of industry in sparsely populated areas? Will consideration be given to enlarging the legal powers of the Development Board for Rural Wales to compensate for any downgrading?

I confirm that that review will take place and that the matters to which my hon. Friend has referred will be carefully considered. There is no doubt that the DBRW is now carrying out valuable work. It is a sign of the attractiveness of Wales to industry that this January the DBRW allocated factories for about 17 new projects—over 100,000 sq ft. That represents nearly half the amount that was allocated in the whole of last year. That shows the way in which interest in Wales is continuing and accelerating.

Will the Secretary of State's review include upgrading as well as downgrading?

I do not intend to add to what I said to my hon. Friend. We gave an undertaking that before the downgrading took effect we would review the position, which is exactly what we will do.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will seek a meeting with the chairman of the Welsh water authority to discuss the cost of water to consumers in Wales for the coming year.

My right hon. Friend met the chairman to discuss this matter on 29 January 1982.

Will the Minister confirm that in the near future the Welsh water authority will levy an 18.3 per cent. increase in water bills for domestic consumers in Wales and that that increase is about double the level in parts of England? Will he confirm that as long ago as 15 October the Welsh water authority proposed to the Welsh Office higher charges for bulk water supply by Wales to the Severn-Trent area and that no answer has been given? Will he use the powers set out in schedule 4 to the Water Act 1973 to ensure that Wales receives proper recompense for the water that is used by the Severn-Trent area?

With regard to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, I cannot confirm what the level of charges will be, because the Welsh water authority will meet tomorrow to decide the level of charges for 1982–83. The matter of charges for bulk transfers of water to the Severn-Trent and North-West water authorities has been referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. He will determine the questions concerned in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. In view of the judicial position it would be improper for me to comment on matters relating to the merits of the dispute.

Does the Minister not know that the recommendation that is being considered by the water authority tomorrow recommends an average overall increase in water charges of 16 per cent. in Wales in the coming year, and that for domestic consumers it is 18.3 per cent.? Does he realise that, if the recommendation is accepted, the average domestic water bill in Wales will rise to £79.76? Does he accept that if that recommendation is accepted, the gap between Welsh water bills and water bills in other parts of the United Kingdom will widen again? Does this not show the Government's folly and stupidity in abandoning the Water Charges Equalisation Act, which at least brought a benefit of £3 million to the Welsh water authority and to Welsh domestic consumers? When does he intend to——

Order. Right hon. and hon. Members are being most unreasonable this afternoon. Both questions and answers have been of unreasonable length.

I shall try to be brief in my reply, Mr. Speaker, but I am sure that you appreciate that the questions are long. The reply to the right hon. Gentleman's point about equalisation, is that the amount involved was about £3 million, but he should bear in mind that the annual cost of the water authorities is about £150 million. Authorities must run their affairs so as to break even. There is a statutory duty upon them, and they will certainly not be encouraged, nor will charges be lessened, by the withholding of payment of charges proposed by Plaid Cymru.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of that answer and the policy of the Government, I give notice that I shall attempt to raise this issue on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the increase in nursing and midwifery staff in the National Health Service in Wales since May 1979.

By the end of 1981 the number had increased by 2,538 or 10.9 per cent.

In view of his highly satisfactory answer, will my hon. Friend say what effect that has had on the waiting lists in the National Health Service?

It has had a favourable effect in the sense that between June 1979 and June 1981 the number of outpatients on the waiting lists decreased by 2,959, and the list of in-patients decreased by 6,159. In-patient waiting lists in Wales are the lowest that they have been since the reorganisation of the National Health Service.

Will the Minister state whether there has been a corresponding increase in geriatric and psychogeriatric nursing in Wales?

If the hon. Member will send me a detailed question on that matter, I shall endeavour to answer it.

In view of that answer, will the Minister ensure that the increase that he has announced to the House today is continued by ensuring that the measly increase of 4 per cent. now on offer to nurses and midwives is revised upwards? Despite the settlement that may be arrived at this year, will the Minister add his weight to finding an agreed formula for devising future salary levels, so that these dedicated people do not find that they are left behind year after year?

The Government are anxious to devise fair and just long term arrangements for nurses' pay. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services recently issued a paper outlining possible approaches to both sides of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley council. The Government's record on nurses' pay is good. It began with the 9 per cent. increase from April 1979, and was followed by the full Clegg award of 22 per cent., the reduction in the working week from 40 to 371/2 hours, a 14 per cent. increase in 1980, and a 6 per cent. increase in 1981.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish the report prepared by Her Majesty's Inspectorate on the implications of expenditure policies on the education and youth services.

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report, but will publish it when he does.

Will the Minister confirm that his Department has published a report this week showing that in the fourth and fifth forms in Welsh secondary schools, one-quarter of the children—more in some areas—are absenting themselves? Will he explain what his Department intends to do to alter the curriculum in schools to ensure that those pupils respond to an education system which, at the moment, is clearly de-schooling them.

The present truancy problem in Wales is considerable and is causing much concern. We are having talks with local education authorities about the development of the curriculum.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales how many vacancies there are currently for State registered nurses in each health authority area in Wales.

This is a matter for individual health authorities. Information about State registered nurse vacancies is not held centrally.

Is it not true that there has been an escalation of ill-health in Wales as a direct result of Government policies increasing unemployment and increasing the burdens on workers in Wales, thus increasing the burdens on the National Health Service in Wales? Will he give serious consideration to nurses and their pay? Is he aware that despite the answer that he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Coleman) earlier, their living standards have been substantially reduced, and that is why these angels of mercy are asking for better consideration from the Government than they have had in the past?

I do not agree with the hon. Gentleman that there is any straightforward connection between the nation's state of health and the unemployment figures, although I know that reports have been produced on the subject. I have already said that there has been a considerable increase in the number of nurses. I have also said that the Government's record on nurses' pay is good and that we are concerned about long-term arrangements for nurses' pay and conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what Government assistance has been given to Plessey Ltd. for the most recent convenient 10-year period.

The assistance provided by the Department of Industry to Plessey Ltd. over the period 1971 to 1981 is £25 million.

Can we be given an assurance that the Department of Industry, the Scottish Economic Planning Council and the Scottish Development Agency will give every possible help to the phoenix that may arise from Plessey, Bathgate?

The hon. Gentleman knows that responsibility for some aspects of the matter that he raises lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. However, I can tell him that the Scottish Development Agency is having discussions with both Plessey and the management group that is seeking to buy part of the Bathgate business from Plessey. The Scottish Office and the Department of Industry are ready to consider financial assistance to any viable operation that could preserve employment in Bathgate.

Does my hon. Friend agree that Plessey Ltd. has been outstandingly successful, compared with many other firms that have received taxpayers' money?

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the level of industrial investment in Leicester.

Information on the level of industrial investment in such specific areas as Leicester is riot available. However, the indications are that the Government's economic policies are succeeding in achieving increased productivity and better competitiveness and that there will be a general upturn in industrial investment during 1982.

Is the Minister aware that, unfortunately, there is no sign whatever of an upturn in industrial investment in Leicester, that unemployment has reached unparalleled levels, and that in one part of my constituency over half of the people are unemployed? Does he accept that it is vital that the Government recognise the problem? Clearly, the hon. Gentleman does not, or he would not have made such a complacent statement about a city that was once so prosperous.

The hon. and learned Gentleman will know that in the economy as a whole there have been the improvements that I mentioned. He will also know that Leicester and the East Midlands have been eligible for considerable Government aid under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972. Indeed, £1 million assistance has been offered to 115 projects covering all industries in the Leicester area. I also draw the hon. and learned Gentleman's attention to the recent optimistic statements of industrialists in his area, including that made at the annual general meeting of the Knitting Industries Federation. He will also know that the chief executive of the Leicester chamber of commerce has stated that the Leicester economy is now on the long road to recovery.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) Official Report, 18 January, column 16, if he will list the organisations that have expressed appreciation of the increase in the Arts Council grant.

There has been generally widespread appreciation of the grant settlement for the Arts Council for the coming year, both from the council itself and from many individuals.

While I appreciate the Minister's endeavours to improve support for the arts, may I ask him to bear in mind that large numbers of companies outside London are in great difficulty because their Arts Council grant has not kept pace with inflation? Is he aware that in towns such as Wolverhampton, where we are trying to reopen a theatre, the situation is especially difficult? Will he ensure that additional resources are given for such purposes?

I cannot say that I can find additional resources. All things being considered, the vast majority of people believe that the Arts Council has this year had a reasonable increase in its money. I shall willingly look into the question of Wolverhampton. Perhaps the hon. Lady will be good enough to write to me about it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that there will be increasing disapproval throughout the arts world if Arts Council appointments or dismissals—come to that—are made for political reasons? Does he appreciate the risks and damage that such a policy might introduce in the conduct of the arts in the hands of less responsible successors to the job than I?

The hon. Gentleman may be counting his chickens before they are hatched. I share his view. I should strongly deprecate such a practice were it to take place, but it has not. I have just appointed four new members of the Arts Council. I have not the faintest idea of their political views.

As Arts Council money goes to support orchestras that play at the Royal Festival Hall, which thereby benefits indirectly, is my right hon. Friend aware of the reports of forthcoming concerts in aid of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which is not a charity but a political campaign, and which many of us profoundly believe will increase the dangers to our people? Will he invite the Arts Council to renew its vigilance to ensure that none of its money is used, even indirectly, to support such ends?

The Arts Council would be the first to wish not to support a political campaign, from whichever side of the House it may come. I have not seen the report, but I shall make immediate inquiries and be in touch with my hon. Friend.

Is the Minister aware of the tremendous problems of the Haymarket and Phoenix theatres in Leicester? If I write to him about them will he afford the same courteous consideraton to Leicester's problems as he has kindly agreed to do to those of Wolverhampton?

I am always delighted to receive a letter from the hon. and learned Gentleman. Will he do something for me in return? Will he make sure that his city council does not discriminate against the arts in its decisions for the coming year?

I welcome the four appointments that the right hon. Gentleman mentioned, but is he pretending that he is not aware of Dr. Richard Hoggart's political leanings?

Not until he broadcast them in the press.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of the Arts Council grant for 1982–83 will be spent in the regions.

In recent years the Arts Council has allocated over 60 per cent. of its grants to support activities outside London. Grants to individual arts organisations for 1982–83 have not yet been announced, but the regional arts associations and touring as a whole will receive increases above that in the council's total grant-in-aid.

May I urge my right hon. Friend to continue the support for regional arts associations and to ensure that we do not have an overbearing obsession with facilities in the metropolis but consider our humbler neighbours down the M1, such as Birmingham and Manchester?

I shall continue such regional support. The Arts Council is well aware of the need to do so. My hon. Friend will be pleased to know that the West Midlands Arts Council grants are increasing by about £80,000, which I hope will be some help.

Is the Minister aware that there are grave concerns in Manchester about the future of the Halle Orchestra? Will he assure us that he is concerned about the orchestra's future and about its local authority and Arts Council grants?

I am very concerned, having read the reports in the press. I hope that hon. Members will persuade local authorities not to discriminate against the arts in their distributions for the coming year. I have read reports that Manchester city is to withdraw entirely the grant from the Hallé Orchestra. Luckily, the overwhelming majority of the orchestra's money comes from the Arts Council and the metropolitan council. I very much hope that its activities will not be damaged.

Is the Minister aware of the great consternation in the Northern region following his intervew on BBC North-East last week, when it was revealed that the Northern region is substantially worse off than many other regions, particularly in support from the Arts Council? Do not the areas of highest unemployment demand the highest cultural investment? Will he draw that fact to the attention of the Arts Council and ensure that the Northern region gets a greater proportion of what is available?

With respect to the hon. Gentleman, it is difficult to make that case. I am deeply aware of the strong support for the arts in the Northern region. Northern arts are getting a grant increase of about 141/2 per cent. Apart from Scotland and Wales, the Northern region probably has the highest proportion spent on the arts.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the size of the Government's arts budget expressed in absolute figures, as a percentage of total public expenditure and as a percentage of the gross national product.

Central Government expenditure on the arts amounted to £174 million in the financial year 1980–81, which is the latest year for which all the relevant figures are available. The relevant percentages were 0.2 and 0.1; I have no reason to believe they will be much different in the present year.

As that is only about £3 per head per year or 1p per head per day for each person in the country, is it not extraordinarily good value in enriching the lives of the British people and attracting visitors, who produce revenue?

It most certainly is. I am sure that my hon. Friend was pleased to see that the Government recognised that, among other factors, when they announced their grants to the arts last year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman, as Minister for the Arts, not agree that that minute proportion of expenditure on the arts is simply not enough and not good enough?

In our private capacities I believe that we could both say that. I do not believe that the records of both our Governments have fluctuated much over the years. The Government recognise the need to continue to support the arts. That is why I was able to make the announcement that I did last December.

Is my right hon. Friend not concerned that at times, through the Arts Council, he might be enriching the lives of the rich by taxing the poor?

No. I do not believe that I would accept that. There is much evidence that it is a modest amount of money. There is an increasing audience for the arts from all sections of society. I hope very much that that trend will continue.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the trustees of the national heritage fund about its annual grant.

I am in regular contact with the fund, which I believe is doing a splendid job.

May I congratulate my right hon. Friend and others concerned with the fund on its success? May I also urge the Government to do all that they can to maintain their support for the fund in real terms? Will my right hon. Friend do what he can?

I shall do all that I can. I cannot give an absolute guarantee in a difficult time. I share my hon. Friend's enthusiasm for the fund's work. I believe that that feeling is generally shared throughout the House.

On an issue that has been put to the Minister before, does he agree that the fund should not be mean or narrow in its objectives and that all sorts of proposals such as railway viaducts—in particular Ribblehead—should qualify? What progress has been made on the proposal?

I have written to my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch and Lymington (Mr. Adley) about that matter. If I am allowed, I shall ensure that the hon. Gentleman receives the correspondence. It is for the board to make an approach to the trustees if it wishes.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to receive the results of Sir Derek Rayner's scrutiny of the Victoria and Albert and the Science museums.

I expect the report about Easter.

Is there not a case for thinking that the present structure of these two museums is outdated and that, as with other national museums, they should become trustee museums?

There certainly is a case for saying that. It is something that has been raised over many years under successive Governments. I should be very surprised if the report did not come to a recommendation, which I shall consider very carefully. I shall, of course, bear my hon. Friend's views in mind.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the report should recommend that the Victoria and Albert museum and the Science museum should be placed on the same trustee-administered basis as the other major national museums, there would be support in principle from the Labour Benches, but that we would be most concerned that he should carry the staffs with him in that operation?

I am grateful for what the hon. Gentleman said. Should that issue arise, I will bear his points in mind. In a major change of this sort, the views of the staff would naturally be important.