§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much Government financial assistance has been given to the tobacco industry in assisted areas in the form of Government grants or otherwise;
(2) if he will list the firms involved where Government financial help in assisted areas has been given to the tobacco industry;
(3) if he will list the Government financial help that has been given to the cigar trade in assisted areas in the last five financial years.
§ Mr. TrippierThe following selective assistance has been provided by the Department of Trade and Industry under the Industry Act 1972 and Industrial Development Act 1982 to companies in Great Britain from 1 April 1979 to date.
Payments by value Section 7 1 April 1979 to 30 November 1984 £5.4 million Firms receiving assistance Tabac Leaf Industry Limited Carreras Rothmans Limited Imperial Tobacco Limited J. R. Freeman and Son Limited Section 8 1 April 1979 to 30 November 1984 £113,000 Firms receiving assistance W. D. & H. 0. Wills Limited Senior Service Limited The above assistance was all in grant form.
Information on other assistance by this and other Government Departments is only available at disproportionate cost. No figures are available for the cigar trade in isolation.