§ Mr. SimsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the financial assistance which has been given to tobacco companies under the various industry Acts in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales since 1979; if he will list other financial assistance that has been made to tobacco companies by the Government in the same period; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsTotal payments to tobacco companies under the Industrial Development Act 1982 both on regional selective assistance and the revised regional development grant schemes are £6.5 million. These are the only schemes under parts II and III of the Act under which payments have been made to tobacco companies. It is not possible to provide a territorial breakdown for England, Scotland and Wales on the grouds of commercial confidentiality as such information would go beyond that which is published inBritish Business. It is also not possible to provide details of any payments under the original RDG scheme except at disproportionate cost.
So far as I am aware, no other Government financial assistance has been given to tobacco companies since 1979.