§ Mr. Rathboneasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much is expected to be applied for and received in £ sterling in grants to the United Kingdom from the EEC Regional Development Fund in 1978 and 1979 on current projections of the development of the Fund.
§ Mr. CryerThe European Regional Development Fund for 1978 will amount to 581 million European units of account—about £375 million at current exchange rates—of which the United Kingdom share is expected to be about £100 million at current exchange rates. Receipts are likely to be spread over several years. The size of the Fund for 1979 has not yet been finally decided.
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. I will circulate an analysis of these figures by year and by county in the Official Report.
Following are the figures:
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES: WEST MIDLANDS REGION: ALL SCHEMES 1974 1975 1976 1977 Total 1974–77 Counties Granted Refused Granted Refused Granted Refused Granted Refused Granted Refused Hereford and Worcester 24 1 27 1 26 — 19 — 96 2 Salop 9 — 15 — 21 — 21 — 66 — Staffords. 48 4 53 3 58 — 32 — 191 7 West Mids. 109 4 163 1 140 — 134 1 546 6 Warwicks. 12 1 19 1 36 — 25 — 92 2 West Mids. Region 202 10 277 6 281 — 231 1 991 17