HC Deb 31 March 1960 vol 620 cc156-7W
Mr. Delargy

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much public money will be allocated to the Ford Motor Company Limited to help to finance their factory at Halewood.

Mr. Maudling

It would not be proper for me to disclose details of assistance given or promised to individual firms under the new Local Employment Act, and such information has never been given in the past. I am considering what general information about assistance provided under the Act should be included in the Reports which Section 23 requires me to lay before Parliament each year.

Mr. Grimond

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will estimate the total expenditure of public money which will be involved in his proposals for assistance with the building of factories by the motor industry in Wales and Scotland.

Mr. Maudling

No firm estimate can yet be made of the assistance which will be given under the Local Employment Act for the building of factories for the motor car industry in Scotland and Wales. I am considering what information should be given in the Annual Report prescribed under Section 23 of the Act, but I must make it plain that I shall not be able to give information which would enable the sums allocated to any particular firm to be identified.