HC Deb 29 April 1983 vol 41 cc447-9W
Mr. Colin Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the relevant criteria against which an

number of households assisted with telephone rentals under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act, in each of the past five years.

Mr. John MacKay

The information requested is as follows:

Mr. Allan Stewart

The Boundary Commission for Scotland received approximately 1,500 written objections, including petitions, during its recent review of parliamentary constituencies. This gives an average of nearly 21 per constituency.

Mr. Tom Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many appeal hearings were held by commissioners or assistant commissioners on behalf of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland prior to publishing its recent reports.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Twelve local inquiries were held by assistant commissioners on behalf of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland.

Mr. Tom Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what costs have been incurred since the previous boundaries revision by the Boundary Commission for Scotland in preparing its recent parliamentary boundaries reports in respect of (a) salaries and fees, (b) other administrative costs and (c) appeals including legal fees.

Mr. Allan Stewart

For the period from 1978–79, when the recent review began, the information requested is as follows:

application by a third country-based company wishing to set a manufacturing facility in a Scottish development area is judged; and what guarantees of permanence are sought.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

I assume my hon. Friend's question concerns the criteria against which applications for discretionary assistance under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 are judged in such circumstances.

These criteria apply equally to applications from overseas and indigenous companies. In appraising such applications, we examine financial and commercial viability; the market for the product and the production process to be used; the likely long-term employment and industrial effect of the project; the nature and extent of the private sector financial contribution and the need for discretionary assistance in order to secure the benefits arising from the project. In deciding whether or not to offer assistance in a particular case, I am able to draw on the advice of the Scottish Industrial Development Advisory Board.

Permanence cannot be guaranteed in any commercial situation, but in considering applications close attention is paid to the potential long-term viability of the operation and the related employment. Payments of selective assistance are made only against evidence of satisfactory progress in the project.