HC Deb 30 November 1970 vol 807 c251W
50. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will conduct a survey of the effectiveness of investment incentives.

Mr. John Davies

I see no present need for this. I have taken account of the results of the pilot inquiry into the effectiveness of investment incentives set in hand by the previous Government.

Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give a breakdown of the 300 firms surveyed by his Department in connection with investment incentives, by industry, numbers employed, economic planning regions and by investment per annum in plant and machinery.

Sir J. Eden

The 300 firms were selected to represent all sizes and main industry groups and had a wide regional distribution. I am considering what more detailed information can be published.

51. Mr. Douglas

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek the views of regional economic planning councils on the new investment incentives.

Mr. John Davies

I shall be glad to consider any comments that the planning councils wish to send me as soon as there has been time to see how the new incentives are working. In Scotland the Secretary of State is Chairman of the Scottish Economic Planning Council and I am, and have been in the closest touch with him on these matters.