HC Deb 15 November 1967 vol 754 cc125-6W
Mr. Younger

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total expenditure by his Department on grants and loans to industry in Scotland since 5th April, 1960, up to the nearest convenient date; and what is the equivalent figure for the rest of the United Kingdom.

Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody

Expenditure from Board of Trade Votes in respect of grants and loans to industry in Scotland from 1st April, 1960, to 30th September, 1967, was:

Grants £ million Loans £ million
Promotion of Local Employment 23.3 55.8
Fairfields (Glasgow) Ltd. 1.0
23.3 56.8

The corresponding figures for England and Wales were:

Grants £ million Loans £ million
Promotion of Local Employment 35.7 38.4

In the same period £23.9 million was paid in grants and compensation to the cotton industry. Separate figures for Scotland are not readily available.

The figures do not include advances to the National Film Finance Corporation, the Air Corporations or under the Shipbuilding Credit Act, 1964.

The amounts paid from Board of Trade Votes as investment grants to 30th September, 1967, were £10.3 million to industry in Scotland and £77.7 million to industry in England and Wales. These grants were introduced on 19th January, 1966, to take the place of the previous system of investment allowances.