§ 15. Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he has any plans to change the criteria relating to regional selective assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Government keep the criteria relating to regional selective assistance under continuous review to ensure that we get the best value for money and that the RSA scheme makes an effective contribution to the competitiveness of British industry.
§ Mrs. CampbellDoes that mean that the Minister agrees with the DTI spokesperson who said that there was increasing emphasis on the quality of the jobs created, and is he therefore looking for excuses to cut regional selective assistance—yes or no?
§ Mr. SainsburyI hope that, because of her interest in the subject, the hon. Lady will be aware that expenditure on regional selective assistance last year was substantially greater than expenditure the previous year. We expect expenditure this year to be further increased.