§ Mr. Ron Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms have made representations to him to open new business premises in Carlisle and Cumbria, respectively; and how many new jobs are expected as a result.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1981 c. 21]: 97 firms made inquiries of the Department's Northern regional office between 1 January 1980 and 25 March 1981 about the possibility of establishing new businesses or expanding existing businesses in Cumbria. Of these 29 were particularly interested in Carlisle.
Comprehensive information about new jobs likely to result is not available. But the nine firms which have expressed interest in selective financial assistance estimate that about 260 jobs might result, of which about 100 would be in Carlisle.