HC Deb 09 November 1972 vol 845 c223W
39. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his financial proposals to assist city centre traders in Belfast.

Mr. David Howell

The Government intend to bring in immediately a new scheme providing for grant assistance to city centre traders in Belfast, Londonderry and Newry. A retail business within the defined area will qualify if it can demonstrate both a substantial loss of turnover and the likelihood of an early cessation of trading as a result of the civil disturbances. Total assistance is likely to cost £1 million in a 12-month period, and will take the form of grants per employee in eligible firms, thus encouraging managements to retain staff they might otherwise have been forced to make redundant.