§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Technology when the Annual Report on Investment Grants 1968–69 is to be available; and what is the reason for the delay in its publication.
§ Mr. VarleyThe report will be published within the next two weeks. This is rather later than we had hoped due to the heavy commitments on available resources.
§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Technology what is the present delay in paying investment grants; how much has so far been paid since their introduction; and what is the outstanding liability, to the nearest convenient date.
§ Mr. VarleyThe average interval between expenditure incurred by the applicant and payment of grant is 12 months. £1,198 million had been paid to 14th November, 1969. On the basis of the rate at which claims are currently being received, it is estimated that a further £160-£170 million will be paid by the 31st March, 1970.