§ Mr. Alec Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, what Govern 160W ment assistance has been given to Wales, in the most recent year for which figures are available, by means of grants under local 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:
Calendar Year 1964 Calendar Year 1967 £ million £ million Assistance under the Local Employment Acts: Building Grants 0.06 1.26 Grants and Loans 0.08 1.36 Plant and Machinery Grants negligible 0.32 Factory Building (a) 0.76 3.31 Investment Grants (b): Welsh Development Area — 13.60 Rest of Wales — 2.45 Regional Employment Premium (c) — 1.12 Additional element of Selective Employment Premium: Welsh Development Area — 3.31 Rest of Wales — 1.69 Ministry of Labour assistance on industrial training (d) — 0.06 Government Training Centres including Industrial Rehabilitation Centres (e) 0.31 0.58 (estimated) (estimated) Clearance of derelict land 0.01 0.03 Total 1.22 29.09 Notes
(a) These figures include expenditure for factories built under the auspices of the Development Commission.
(b) Investment grants were introduced with effect from 17th January, 1966 in place of the previous system of investment allowances and plant and machinery grants. Figures for investment allowances on a regional basis are not available.
(c) This scheme came into effect on 4th September, 1967. The first payments were made in October, 1967. In a full year it is estimated that payments in respect of the Welsh Development Area will amount to approximately £12 million.
(d) Prior to 1st September, 1964, grants for training were paid under the Local Employment Acts. The cost cannot be separately distinguished.
(e) These estimates exclude cost of premises and are based on the financial years 1964–65 and 1966–67.