HC Deb 06 July 1972 vol 840 cc734-5
11. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the legislation currently in force in Northern Ireland about regional incentives.

Mr. David Howell

With permission, I am circulating the information requested in the Official Report. I have taken the Question to refer to legislation under which industry is assisted to provide employment or modernise.

Mr. Douglas

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that Northern Ireland has an edge in monetary terms on other regions in the United Kingdom with regard to the attraction of industry, but that it will be eroded unless civil peace returns to the Province?

Mr. Howell

That is certainly so. Traditionally there has been a differential, and I think that in today's circumstances the case for it is stronger than ever. I am examining the question of new differential rates in the light of changes in Great Britain which were made in the Budget.

Following is the information:

Legislation Purpose
1. Industrial Investment (General Assistance) Acts (Northern Ireland) 1966–1971. A standard scheme of assistance to manufacturing and construction industries, giving grants on new plant and machinery and on new buildings.
2. Industries Development Acts (Northern Ireland) 1966 and 1971. Provide selective assistance in projects offering additional employment or to maintain employment.
3. Local Enterprise Development Unit (Industries Development Grant) Order (Northern Ireland) 1971 S.R.O. No. 361 of 1971. Provides finance Local Enterprise Development Unit to assist small-scale industry, particularly in the rural areas.
4 Aid to Industry Acts (Northern Ireland) 1961 and 1964. Enable the Ministry of Commerce to make contributions to the fuel costs of manufacturing firms.
5. Industrial Advice and Enterprise Acts (Northern Ireland) 1964–1970. Provide grants to industry toward the costs of employment consultants: also provide for a fund administered by the Ministry of Commerce under which grants and loans can be made to encourage industrial enterprise and to foster the training of industrial management.
6. Development of Tourist Traffic Acts (Northern Ireland) 1948–1968. Enable the Ministry to make grants to local authorities providing new tourist amenities; also loans towards the cost of furnishing catering establishments or providing additional catering establishments.
7. Employment and Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1950. Enables the Ministry of Health and Social Services to establish Government Training Centres; and to pay grants to firms operating training schemes on their premises.
8. Northern Ireland Finance Corporation (Northern Ireland) Order 1972. Establishes the Finance Corporation, which can assist undertakings in danger of closure through civil disturbance, and stimulate new investment.
9. Selective Employment Payments (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 1967. Provides regional employment premiums on the same basis as in development areas in Great Britain.
10. Local Government (Rating and Finance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1929 Provides a derating allowance of 75 per cent for manufacturing industry.