§ 15. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much assistance has been given to private industry under the Industry Act 1972 to the latest available date.
Mr. Alan WilliamsUp to 31st May 1978 offers of selective financial assistance totalling £415 million were made to private industry under the Industry Act 1972. In addition, in the same period, payments of regional development grant totalled £1,513 million, the larger part of which went to private industry.
§ Mr. MaddenIs not one of the ironies of modern politics that these colossal sums of taxpayers' money are paid to private companies, many of which donate lavish sums to the Conservative Party, whose industrial spokesman regularly condemns all grants and subsidies as doing great harm?
Mr. WilliamsI agree. I find it incredible that industry should place any reliance whatsoever upon the so-called policy enunciated by the Opposition Front Bench. I gather that section 8 would be abandoned, and I understand that the Conservatives have no intention of going ahead with the industrial strategy. They are ambivalent but are inclined to talk about abandoning the National Enterprise Board. It would be a disaster for the country if they were elected.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherWill the Minister confirm press reports that the Secretary of State for Industry has advised workers at the Chrysler plant at Linwood that no more Government funds will be made available to that company? Will he join me in deploring the irresponsibility of those at Linwood who failed yesterday to turn up for a meeting in such 1017 numbers that the costly dispute could not be resolved?
Mr. WilliamsI am sure that the hon. Member has seen the reports of what my right hon. Friend said during his Linwood visit. On Friday I chaired a meeting of workers' representatives and Chrysler management in Coventry. I made it clear that if a pay settlement was reached that was in breach of the Government's guidelines, Government financial support could not be provided.