§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will seek to amend the Aid Scheme for Ferrous Foundries in order to enable aid to be given to those small foundries in areas of high unemployment which cannot meet the present criteria of the scheme because they are too small.
§ Mr. KaufmanWe have no plans at present to amend the scheme, but its operation will be kept under review.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many foundries and what proportion of the total foundries in the United Kingdom employ fewer than 100 employees.
§ Mr. KaufmanOn 31st August 1974, 807 or 73 per cent. of the total—ferrous and non-ferrous—employed fewer than 100 employees.
§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of the total foundries in the United Kingdom will be able to raise sufficient funds for investment to enable them to qualify for help under the aid scheme for ferrous foundries.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe information requested is not available. The ferrous foundry industry has shown great interest in the scheme and the Department has already received over 50 formal applications for assistance.