§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans for reviewing regional aid budgets; and whether he will take steps to introduce a development agency for the north of England.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the right hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, at 1985 prices, the amount of regional grants paid to Yorkshire and Humberside under (a) section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 (b) and under part II of the Industrial Development Act 1982 for the financial years 1979–80 to 1983–84 inclusive.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 10 December 1985, c. 558]The information requested is as follows: 717W
Expenditure at 1985 prices £'000 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 Regional Development Grants 34,129 51,750 57,129 41,253 25,537 Regional Selective Assistance 10,800 8,823 8,618 11,796 9,559 Note: Current price expenditure has been converted to 1985 prices by use of an estimated GDP deflator.
§ Mr. Fatchettasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the amount of regional assistance to be allocated to Yorkshire and Humberside during the 1985–86 financial year.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 10 December 1985, c. 558]Estimates of regional assistance are only allocated on a national basis. However, expenditure during the first six months of this financial year in the Yorkshire and Humberside region was £9 million. On this basis, expenditure for 1985–86 is estimated to be £18 million.