Northern Region (Hansard, 9 November 1970)

§ 47. Mr. Willey
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to promote research and development in the Northern Region.

§ Mr. Anthony Grant
As my hon. Friend said in reply to a Question from the hon. Member for The Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter) on 2nd November, we shall continue to make every effort to steer suitable research and development projects to the Northern Region and other development areas.—[Vol. 80., c. 666–7.]

§ 55. Mr. Leadbitter
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications from industrialists to develop in the Northern Region are being 4W considered by his Department; how many new jobs these involve; and how these figures compare with those in June, 1970.

§ Mr. Anthony Grant
Thirteen industrial development certificates were issued in the Northern Region in October, 1970, compared with 25 in June. The additional employment expected to arise as estimated by the applicants was 550 and 4,780, respectively.

62 and 63. Mr. Bob Brown
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many new jobs were projected for the Northern Region in June, and how many have since materialised;
(2) how many new jobs were projected for the Northern Region at the latest available date.

§ Mr. Anthony Grant
At the end of October, 1970, the number of jobs reported to be in prospect in the Northern Region over the next four years in authorised new buildings and buildings taken over by manufacturing firms amounted to about 40,000, including nearly 28,000 for males. These figures do not include jobs which will arise from expansion by firms in their present premises or new jobs arising in the service sector. The figures at the end of June were approximately the same. No estimate can be made of the number of jobs which have materialised since June.

§ 67. Mr. Pentland
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that Government financial aid to promote economic growth and industrial expansion in the Northern Region over the next two years will be on a par with that supplied by the previous Government to the region from 18th June, 1968 to 18th June, 1970.

§ Mr. Anthony Grant
I am anxious to encourage projects in all Development Areas but expenditure in any particular area will depend on the number and nature of the schemes that come forward there.

§ Mr. Armstrong
asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the total Government expenditure on assisting firms to develop and expand in the Northern Region in the years from 1959 5W onwards; and what is the total expenditure proposed for each of the next four years.

§ Mr. Anthony Grant
Figures for the years prior to 1960–61 are not readily available. Details of preferential direct assistance to industry in the Northern Region 1960–61 to 1969–70 are given below. The table does not include expenditure on infrastructure in the Northern Region. Nor is it possible to

GOVERNMENT PREFERENTIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHERN REGION

1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65

(£m.) (£m.) (£m.) (£m.) (£m.)

Offers of Assistance under the Local Employment Acts … … … … … 2.1 1.9 5.6 12.6 14.8

Investment Grants Differential (estimated)^* … — — — — —

Regional Employment Premium (payments) … — — — — —

Selective Employment Tax Additional Payment (payments)† … … … … — — — — —

DEP Assistance to Industrial Training (excluding Government Training Centres)‡ … — — — — —

1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70

(£m.) (£m.) (£m.) (£m.) (£m.)

Offers of Assistance under the Local Employment Acts … … … … … 14.3 15.2 12.8 17.0 33.7

Investment Grants Differential (estimated)^* … — — 27.0 24.0 24.8

Regional Employment Premium (payments) … — — 9.6 28.8 30.2

Selective Employment Tax Additional Payment (payments)† … … … … — — — 7.2 7.7

DEP Assistance to Industrial Training (excluding Government Training Centres)‡ … — 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.9

Notes

^* Investments grant replaced investment allowances and free depreciation in 1966. No regional breakdown for the value of investment allowances and free depreciation is available.

† The SET additional payment was withdrawn outside development areas from the beginning of 1968–69 and was withdrawn altogether from the beginning of 1970–71.

‡ The amounts shown for training represent the preferential element of expenditure only.

GOVERNMENT PREFERENTIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHERN REGION
						1960–61	1961–62	1962–63	1963–64	1964–65
						(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)
Offers of Assistance under the Local Employment Acts	…	…	…	…	…	2.1	1.9	5.6	12.6	14.8
Investment Grants Differential (estimated)^*	…	—	—	—	—	—
Regional Employment Premium (payments)	…	—	—	—	—	—
Selective Employment Tax Additional Payment (payments)†	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	—	—
DEP Assistance to Industrial Training (excluding Government Training Centres)‡	…	—	—	—	—	—

						1965–66	1966–67	1967–68	1968–69	1969–70
						(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)	(£m.)
Offers of Assistance under the Local Employment Acts	…	…	…	…	…	14.3	15.2	12.8	17.0	33.7
Investment Grants Differential (estimated)^*	…	—	—	27.0	24.0	24.8
Regional Employment Premium (payments)	…	—	—	9.6	28.8	30.2
Selective Employment Tax Additional Payment (payments)†	…	…	…	…	—	—	—	7.2	7.7
DEP Assistance to Industrial Training (excluding Government Training Centres)‡	…	—	0.2	0.4	0.6	0.9
Notes
^* Investments grant replaced investment allowances and free depreciation in 1966. No regional breakdown for the value of investment allowances and free depreciation is available.
† The SET additional payment was withdrawn outside development areas from the beginning of 1968–69 and was withdrawn altogether from the beginning of 1970–71.
‡ The amounts shown for training represent the preferential element of expenditure only.