§ Mr. Joseph Deanasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he intends to set a time limit for the acceptance of applications for regional development grants.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieYes. Under Section 5(1) of Part I of the Industry Act 1972 the Secretary of State may direct the time within which applications for grant shall be made, and it is intended that no grant shall be made on assets provided before 1st April 1974 unless an application is received by the Department on the appropriate form not later than 1st July592W 1976. For the period beginning 1st April 1974 and ending on 31st March 1975 applications should be received by 1st April 1977. Thereafter until further notice applications should be made not later than the end of two years after the end of the quarter during which the asset was provided. It is considered that this period strikes a fair balance between the need to give an applicant reasonably adequate time in which to present his application and the need to give the Department an adequate period in which to satisfy itself that the conditions and purposes of the Act have been observed. Exceptionally, if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the application is delayed for reasons beyond the control of the applicant consideration will be given to whether the late application may be accepted.