§ Mr. Cryerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list the total regional preferential expenditure by region giving also the expenditure per head of population in each region, for the years 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, and 1980–81.
§ Mr. MacGregorGross expenditure for the years 1976–77 to 1980–81 on regional preferential assistance to industry is as follows:
§ Mr. WakehamSince the present Administration took office, £200,700 has been offered to Lucas Group Service Ltd under the product and process development scheme; and £59,000 to BCIRA and £14,500 to Dudley Port Rolling Mills Ltd under the energy conservation scheme.
Steel companies in the West Midlands, as elsewhere, are eligible for assistance towards restructuring under the 103W £22 million private sector steel scheme announced on 14 December last, as well as for assistance under existing schemes available to industry generally.
Subject to their satisfying the relevant eligibility criteria, individual redundant steel workers from both the BSC and the private sector may receive income-support benefits for up to two and a half years, depending on age, under the iron and steel employees re-adaption benefits scheme. This scheme is funded jointly by the Government and the European Coal and Steel Community.