§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much has been spent each quarter since June 1978 under the grant scheme to help energy conservation in industry; how many applications, and to what value, remain outstanding; and what are his proposals for future energy conservation in industry when the present grant scheme runs out in June 1980.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe number of applications approved for all parts of the energy conservation scheme and the expenditure each quarter since June 1978 is as follows:
§ Mr. David Mitchell2,894 applications have been received under the energy conservation scheme up to 31 December 1979. This represents 2,014 initial consultancy assignments and 880 projects. Grants totalling £9,146,568 have been offered towards 1,388 consultancies and 479 projects. By the end of the year £1,091,399 had been paid.
The Departments of Industry and Energy will continue to promote the more efficient use of energy by the dissemination of information. The Department of Energy will continue to provide assistance towards the cost of energy surveys by approved consultants.
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§ Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his estimate of the amount of energy saved by the operation of the grant scheme for energy conservation in industry.
§ Mr. David MitchellProjects approved for grant support up to 31 December 1979 under the energy conservation scheme are expected to result in annual savings of some 120,000 tonnes of oil equivalent.
Amount of offer/liability Amount paid to date £m. £m. Assistance to International Computers Ltd. (ICL) Subscription for shareholding in company and grant for research 3.5 3.5 and development—both made available on ICL's formation 13.5 13.5 Local Employment Act loan (repaid 1970–75) 2.5 2.5 Research and development under Science and Technology Act 1965, paid 1972–76 and repayable 1977–84 in certain circumstances 40.0 40.0 Industry Act:— Section 7 assistance in respect of projects at:— Manchester (Ardwick) 5.4 0.6 Ashton-under-Lyne Manchester (West Gorton) Regional development grants 0.3 Projects qualifying for assistance under approved schemes to promote the electronics industry or industry generally 6.1 2.2 Assistance to Ferranti Ltd. and subsidiaries Subscription for new stock units, 1975 8.7 8.7 Industry Act:— Section 7 assistance in respect of projects at various locations 1.6 0.2 Regional development grants 0.3 Projects qualifying for assistance under approved schemes to promote the electronics industry or industry generally 5.5 3.8 The amounts shown do not include:— (a) Sums devoted to the purchase of shareholdings in either group by the National Enterprise Board; (b) an NEB loan to Ferranti Ltd. repaid by the company in 1977 and replaced with medium-term finance from commercial sources; (c) sums paid or payable to the National Research Development Corporation as a consequence of the corporation complying in 1968–69 with the request of the Government, made under section 11 of the Development of Inventions Act 1967, to enter into joint venture projects with three companies, one of which was Ferranti Ltd. for the development and manufacture of micro-electronic devices; (d) Regional development grants of approximately £450,000, from which ICL will benefit indirectly, paid to finance and development companies in respect of leased assets; (e) payments under the investment grants scheme, which was discontinued from 26 October 1970, about which information is no longer available.