§ Mr. R. W. Elliottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about Government grants to the North East Development Council.
§ Mr. ChatawayI have offered to increase grant aid to the North East Development Council by £25,000 during the current financial year and by £30,000 during 1973–74. The council has accepted, so that total grant aid will be £40,000 in both years. This increase has been offered in the knowledge that the council is in discussion with other interests about reconstitution to serve the whole of the Northern Region in the field of publicity and other measures for promoting industrial and commercial development.
Supplementary Estimates will be presented to Parliament for approval in due course. For any payment necessary in the meantime I will have recourse to the Contingencies Fund.