§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make the granting of public money to private companies conditional on reaching a planning agreement.
§ Mr. CryerSection 21(1) of the Industry Act 1975 provides an incentive to conclude a planning agreement in that the levels of certain forms of financial assistance can be guaranteed for the period of the agreement. To make the granting of Government assistance to private companies generally conditional on reaching a planning agreement was not the policy stated in the White Paper "The Regeneration of British Industry" However, the White Paper did state that planning agreements
will also provide a securer and more coherent basis than has existed in the past for ensuring that Government financial assistance is deployed where it will be most effectively used".This remains Government policy.