HC Deb 13 March 1978 vol 946 cc15-7W
34. Miss Boothroyd

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the number of industrial development certificates applied for in the West Midlands Region since January 1974 to the latest available date, the number of applications not granted together with the relevant date, and the area of the region to which they relate.

Mr. Cryer

Statistics about industrial development certificates are available only for certificates granted and refused. During the four years 1974–77, 991 certificates were granted in the West Midlands region and 17 refused. An analysis of these figures by year and by county is as follows:

companies in response to Her Majesty's Government's regional policy in the North-East.

Mr. Cryer

During the years 1974–77 the Northern regional office of my Department dealt with 1,866 inquiries from firms considering setting up or expanding in the Northern Region, including the North-East.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimate his Department has of unoccupied advance Government factories in the Northern Region.

Mr. Cryer

At 31st January 1978, my Department had available in the Northern Region 38 advance factories and 23 terrace units, providing a total floor area of about 67,600 square metres.

Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what estimate has been made of the total grants and other financial incentives offered since January 1974 to encourage industrial firms establishing themselves in the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cryer

Assistance has been made available to company undertakings in the Northern Region between 1st January 1974 and 31st December 1977 under the Industry Act 1972, as follows:

Part I £m.
Payment of regional development grant 404.3
Part II
Section 7 Offers of regional selective assistance 49.2
Section 8 Offers of selective financial assistance 26.1

Applications for assistance under Part II totalling £22.9 million were still under consideration on 31st December 1977.

Assistance has also been made available under the Industry Act 1972 to the shipbuilding industry, and by the National Enterprise Board under the Industry Act 1975.

Assistance will continue to be made, available from these sources to qualifying undertakings of all industries locating or expanding in the Northern Region.