§ Mr. Mylesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what value of grants has been paid to businesses in Banffshire or in the Banff, Buckie and Elgin employment areas in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981, respectively, in categories still applicable after withdrawal of assisted area status.
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§ Mr. Alexander FletcherComprehensive information on the value of grants paid to businesses in these areas is not available. When assisted area status is withdrawn a number of grants will continue to be available, including tourism grants, grants from European sources and the various national schemes operated by the Department of Industry.
§ Mr. Mylesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what was the value of grants paid to businesses in Banffshire or in the Banff, Buckie and Elgin employment office areas in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981 respectively, because of assisted area status;
(2) how many businesses in Banffshire or in the Banff, Buckie and Elgin employment office areas benefited from grants because of assisted area status in the years 1979, 1980 and 1981, respectively.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherBy virtue of the assisted area status of Banff, Buckie and Elgin, companies in these areas were, prior to the recent regional policy changes, eligible under the Industry Act 1972 to apply for selective financial assistance under section 7, and for regional development grants.
The number and value of offers of selective financial assistance under section 7 made in the Banff, Buckie and Elgin employment office areas in the years in question have been as follows:
Number of offers Value (£000) 1979 2 71.7 1980 5 100.2 1981 — — Information on payment of regional development grants above £25,000 is provided regularly in British Business.