§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much grant aid has been provided by his Department to private companies during 1982, 1981 and 1980, respectively.
§ Mr. ButcherAssistance, predominantly in grant form, supplied direct to private companies totalled £675 million in 1980–81, £836 million in 1981–82 and £853 million (estimated) in 1982–83. This comprises regional development grants, selective assistance under sections 7 and 8 of the Industry Act 1972 and research and development assistance under the Science and Technology Act 1965. (Table 2—Summary of Provision Assistance to Private Industry in the United Kingdom—of the Supply Estimates for the relevant financial years.)