§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the annual total of financial assistance given to private industry in the form of grants, loans or other aids during the past decade, for which figures are available; and what proportion of the GNP this represented each year.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe information is as follows:
Assistance to private industry(£m. at historic prices and net of repayments) Assistance to industry as percentage of GNP £m. 1965–66 99 0.3 1966–67 108 0.3 1967–68 464 1.3 1968–69 752 2.0 1969–70 872 2.2 1970–71 884 2.0 1971–72 789 1.6 1972–73 654 1.2 1973–74 748 1.2 1974–75 909 1.2 Notes:
- 1. The increase in the years 1968–69—1970–71 is due mainly to the investment grants scheme.
- 2. GNP statistics are kept by calendar year, and the percentages shown are not therefore strictly comparable with the figures for assistance to industry which are based on financial years. They should be treated as approximate.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the total funds paid to companies in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England, respectively, under the Industry Act 1972, indicating the percentage of the total expenditure allocated to each country, for each complete year since the Act came into effect.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe information is as follows:
Assistance to companies in Northern Ireland is provided under Northern Ireland legislation.