§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much he has paid out in the current year in(a) regional development grant and (b) regional selective assistance; and how much he expects to pay in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 17 December 1987]: Gross expenditures on regional development grant (RDG) and regional selective assistance (RSA) under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in the period April to November 1987 were £40 million and £19 million respectively. As my right hon. and learned Friend has announced, net provision for his industry, energy, trade and employment programme, which includes regional assistance, for 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 is £266 million, £260 million and £260 million respectively. Further detail will, as usual, be published in the annual "Scottish Commentary" on public expenditure. In addition full details of my right hon. and learned Friend's proposals for 1988–89 will appear in the Supply Estimates.