HC Deb 25 March 1970 vol 798 c1416
19. Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he now has for providing incentives for investment by the service industries.

Mr. Mason

I have no proposals at the present time for further incentives.

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Since, under the old system of investment allowances, the service industries shared this advantage with manufacturing industry, whereas they now get no advantage comparable to the investment grant to manufacturing industry, what proposals does the right hon. Gentleman have for redressing this unfairness?

Mr. Mason

I thought that the service industries had done very well, because they get tax allowances if they haxe expenditure on plant and machinery, they get Local Employment Act assistance if they are large service industries in development areas, they get investment grants if they purchase new computers or ships, the shipping companies have considerably benefited and in the case of hotels we have given incentives for hotel development also.