§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage change in the level of regional preferential assistance by standardised United Kingdom region between 1978–79 and 1992–93.
§ Mr. SainsburyApart from minor exceptions regional preferential assistance is restricted to the assisted areas of the United Kingdom. Between 1978–79 to 1984–85 the assisted area map was updated three times. With the exception of Northern Ireland there were substantial changes to the coverage of individual standard regions. Changes in the level of regional preferential assistance to individual regions between 1978–79 and 1992–93 are therefore influenced by the difference in coverage.
165WIn 1978–79 two thirds of regional preferential assistance in Great Britain was accounted for by expenditure on regional development grants. RDGs were abolished in 1988 although residual expenditure is still continuing. In 1992–93 expenditure on RDG accounted for less than 10 per cent. of regional preferential assistance in Great Britain.
Percentage change in the level of regional preferential assistance 1978–79 to 1992–93 United Kingdom region Percentage change Northern -69 Yorkshire and Humberside -63 East Midlands -65 West Midlands 1+5,300 South West -14 North West -67 Wales 2+7 Scotland 2-34 Northern Ireland 2+6 1 In 1978–79 the Oswestry TTWA only had assisted area status. 2 Provisional.