HC Deb 26 March 1959 vol 602 cc149-51W
12. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases where applications under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1958, have been approved, financial assistance has taken the form of loans and of grants, respectively; what the total aid approved has been to date; and how much of this is by way of loan and of grant, respectively.

Mr. Erroll

The assistance offered in respect of the 27 applications so far approved has in 24 cases taken the form of a loan. In one case annual grants have been offered, and in the two other cases annual grants as well as a loan. The total of aid approved to date is £514,650 of which £502,400 is by way of loan and £12,250 by way of annual grants.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of additional persons will be employed as a result of the approval for aid under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1958, of the total of three applications from the isles of Lewis and Harris; and what percentage of the total of unemployed in the Stornoway area this number represents.

Mr. Erroll

The number of additional persons to be employed on the three projects in the isles of Lewis and Harris for which assistance has been offered under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, is estimated as 22. This total represents 1.3 per cent. of the total number of persons registered as unemployed at the Stornoway employment exchange on the 9th March. 1959.

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications for aid under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1958, have been received from each of the islands of Barra, Benbecula, South Uist, North Uist, and Harris; and how many have been approved.

Mr. Erroll

No applications have been received from any of these places.

Mr. N. McLean

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received from Scotland by the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee since the beginning of 1959; how many of these have been granted; and for what sums.

Mr. Erroll

Nineteen firm and eligible applications made under the Distribution of Industry Acts, 1945 and 1958, have been received since 1st January, 1959. No loan or grant has yet been recommended in respect of these applications.

Mr. N. McLean

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications have been received from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland by the Development Areas Treasury Advisory Committee since the beginning of 1959; how many of these have been granted; and for what sums.

Mr. Erroll

Nine firm and eligible applications, made under the Distribution of Industry Acts, 1945 and 1958, have been received since 1st January, 1959. No loan or grant has yet been recommended in respect of these applications.