§ 50. Mr. Leadbitterasked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has to review the industrial development and job provision in the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement on the effects of the increases in selective employment tax on industry and the distributive trades.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyIndustrial development in the Northern Region, as222W in other development areas, is kept under constant review. The increase in Selective Employment Tax has not yet taken place and it is not possible to assess its effects.
§ 51. Mr. Leadbitterasked the President of the Board of Trade what measures he intends to improve the export efforts of industries in the Northern Region; and if he will make a statement on the current levels of aid, in grants and loans, and future policy.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyGovernment assistance for exporters is available to industries in all parts of the United Kingdom. The provisional figure of Government aid to industry in the Northern Region for the financial year 1968–69 is approximately £105 million. The Government will continue to accord priority to industrial development in the Northern Region and in the other development areas.