§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what Government assistance has been given to development areas in the most recent year for which figures are available by means of local 280W employment acts, building grants, investment grants, regional employment premiums, refunds of selective employment tax, and retraining and other measures, compared with 1964.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe information required is given in the following table:
1964–65 1967–68 £m. £m. (estimated) Assistance under the Local Employment Acts: Factory Building 6 0 13.5 Building Grants 5.4 21.0 Grants and Loans 15.1 13.6 Plant and machinery grants 0.8 5.5 Clearance of derelict land 0.5 1.2 Provision of basic services 0.2 0.05 Free depreciation 3.0 — Investment grants (1) — 145 0 Premium element of Selective Employment Premium — 25.0 Regional Employment Premium (2) — 34.0 Ministry of Labour assistance on industrial training (3) — 1.1 Government Training Centres including Industrial Rehabilitation Centres (4) 1.7 3.6 Highlands and Islands Development Board (5) 0.1 1.5 Notes
- (1) Investment grants were introduced with effect from 17th January, 1966 in place of the previous system of investment allowances and plant and machinery grants. The standard rate of grant in Development Areas is 40 per cent.; outside the Development Areas it is 20 per cent. As a short-term stimulus to industrial investment, these rates of grant have been increased to 45 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively for expenditure in 1967 and 1968.
- (2) The Regional Employment Premium was introduced with effect from 4th September, 1967. In a full financial year it is estimated to cost £100 million.
- (3) Prior to 1st September, 1964 grants for training were paid under the Local Employment Acts. The cost cannot be separately distinguished.
- (4) These figures exclude cost of premises.
- (5) The Highland and Islands Development Board was established in November, 1965.