HC Deb 09 November 1970 vol 806 cc24-5
26. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to enable investment grants to be given in respect of machinery used to clean milk road tankers.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No, Sir. As stated in the White Paper on Investment Incentives published on 27th October, we shall in the remaining life of investment grants avoid, as far as possible, making changes in the policy under which they are at present being made.

Mr. Pavitt

Will the Minister reconsider that reply? Why should the beer industry be dealt with so much better than the milk industry? More people are interested in milk than in beer. Will he disregard any investments made by the brewing industry in his party and look after the milk industry for a change?

Mr. Grant

The last thing that I want to do is to pontificate on any dichotomy between beer and milk. I do not think it would be right to, so to speak, botch up a scheme, especially in the dying time of the investment grants system, but I can give the hon. Gentleman this comfort, that I understand that machinery used to clean milk road tankers will qualify for the new depreciation allowances which, subject to legislation, will apply to expenditure incurred after 26th October.