§ 68. Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Technology if he will provide details showing how far Government policy has been responsible for channelling financial assistance to industry in the development areas, and each recipient town, respectively how many factories have been built how many are still in the process of building; how many are planned for in the future as a result of Government aid up to the latest convenient date; and if he will make a statement.
VarleyMr. Since 1966 the Government have developed a substantial and balanced package of measures of preferential assistance to industry in the development areas. Expenditure on this assistance is now running at some £270 million a year. Between 1st April, 1966, and 31st March, 1969, 229 new Government factories or extensions provided under the Local Employment Acts were completed, and a further 96 have since been authorised. Information on assistance to industry in individual towns and on the number of new private factories planned, completed and under construction in the development areas is not readily available.