§ 42. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will state the percentage of Board of Trade Advisory Committee grants, both in numerical and financial terms, applied for by firms in scheduled areas, which were paid in 1962 and 1963.
§ Mr. D. PriceOffers of financial assistance (both loans and grants) under Section 4 of the Local Employment Act, 1960, were made in 55 per cent, of the cases considered by B.O.T.A.C. in each of the years 1962–63. The assistance offered amounted to £6.1 million in 1962 and £14.6 million in 1963. In those years applications for £2.5 million and £3;3 million were rejected. These are 41 per cent. and 23 per cent., respectively, of the amounts approved.