§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the total expenditure of his Department in Wales for the current financial year; and what are the figures for each year since 1979 for which complete information is available.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 23 November 1987]: From 1 April 1979 to 31 March 1984 regional development grants (RDG) payments to companies in Wales totalled £470 million. Responsibility for administration of the RDG scheme in Wales was transferred to the Welsh Office from my Department in November 1984.
Complete information on other expenditure by my Deparment on a regional basis could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, we can say that under the 157W selective investment scheme payments to industry in Wales since 1979 have totalled some £18 million to date. Also, under support for innovation under the Science and Technology Act 1965 over £8.2 million has been paid to industry in Wales since 1 April 1982. (Figures for the earlier years are not available).