HC Deb 07 February 1968 vol 758 cc129-30W
Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much financial assistance has been given by his Department and other Government agencies to companies setting up or expanding business in Scotland in each year since 1964; and what percentage this sum represents of the total assistance given for similar purposes in the United Kingdom as a whole.

Mr. Darling:

The financial assistance by way of loans and grants offered by the Board of Trade under the Local Employment Acts for projects in Scotland was:

£ million Per cent.
1964–65 8.75 31.4
1965–66 12.85 42.9
1966–67 15.69 38.2
1967–68(April-December) 10.75 41.4

The percentages given are of the total assistance of this kind to projects in the development areas in Great Britain. None of the figures includes the value of buildings provided by the Board for sale or letting.

In addition, since 1963 loans and grants totalling £9.17 million have been made to Wiggins, Teape and Co. under the Fort William Pulp and Paper Mills Act.

Firms in Scotland benefit from investment grants; in the Scottish development area these are at the preferential rate. Comprehensive information about assistance provided by other Departments is not readily available.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much financial assistance has been given by his Department and other Government agencies to companies setting up businesses or expanding them in the four new towns in Scotland; and what percentage this sum represents of the total spent in Scotland as a whole for this purpose.

Mr. Darling:

The financial assistance by way of loans and grants offered by the Board of Trade under the Local Employment Acts for projects in the four New Towns in Scotland was:

£ million Per cent
1964–65 0.47 5.4
1965–66 1.08 8.4
1966–67 1.70 10.8
1967–68(April-December) 1.04 9.6

The percentages are of the total assistance of this kind to projects in the Scottish development area. None of the figures includes the value of buildings provided by the Board for sale or letting.

Firms in the New Towns in Scotland benefit from investment grants at the preferential rates applicable to development areas