HC Deb 20 November 1967 vol 754 cc257-8W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Labour how much finance he has provided for training to incoming firms to Scotland; and if he will set out a table in the Official Report showing which Scottish firms have benefited; what grant has been given; and what has been the potential available grant.

Mr. Hattersley

The following tables relate to the grant available to firms mov- ing into or expanding in the Scottish Development Area to assist them in training workers for new jobs:—

OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE TO FIRMS IN SCOTLAND
Number of offers made during period—
1st September, 1964 to 31st December, 1964 12
1st January, 1965 to 31st December, 1965 77
1st January, 1966 to 31st December, 1966 116
1st January, 1967 to 31st October, 1967 186
Total 391
PAYMENTS MADE TO FIRMS IN SCOTLAND
To nearest £100
Period—
1st September, 1964 to 31st March, 1965 600
1st April, 1965 to 31st March, 1966 32,100
1st April, 1966 to 31st March, 1967 225,100
1st April, 1967 to 31st October, 1967 176,900
£434,700

Up to 31st October 1967, 358 of the 391 offers of grant had been accepted; these firms expected to provide 28,000 new jobs in Scotland. In accordance with normal practice, information about individual firms is regarded as confidential.

The amounts of grant paid depend on the extent to which new jobs are actually provided and the amount of training which has to be given. The doubling of the rates of grant for training starting on or after 16th October 1967 should substantially increase payments to firms under this scheme.