HC Deb 29 May 1970 vol 801 cc641-2W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total amount of Government assistance to industry, both preferential and otherwise, in the Merseyside development area in each year since 1963.

Mr. Varley:

The following is the information:

Total Of which preferential
£m. £m.
1963–64 2.1 2.1
1964–65 8.2 8.2
1965–66. 8.0 8.0
1966–67 11.3 11.3
1967–68. 45.8 28.8
1968–69 75.0 50.0
1969–70 n.a. 59.7
(provisional)

These figures comprise assistance offered under the Local Employment Acts, Investment Grants, Regional Employment Premium, Selective Employment Premium and D.E.P. Assistance to Industrial Training. The total figure for 1969–70 is not available. Figures of free depreciation are not included in the totals as no regional breakdown is available.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Technology how many fresh jobs were created as a result of fresh investment, and expansion of existing premises, in the Merseyside development area during the period 1964–70; what was the corresponding figure for the Wirral peninsula; and what was the Government's financial contribution to the creation of this additional employment.

Mr. Varley:

Industrial development certificates issued in the period October, 1964 to March, 1970 for new projects and extensions are estimated by the applicants to give rise to nearly 53,000 new jobs in the Merseyside development area, mainly in manufacturing. This does not include new jobs which have arisen without the need for new industrial building or jobs arising in the non-manufacturing sector including office employment. In the financial years 1964–70 total preferential assistance to industry in the Merseyside development area was nearly £166 million. I regret that separate figures for the Wirral peninsula are not available.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Technology what was the total of regional preferential assistance granted to industry in the Merseyside development area during the financial year 1969–70; and what were the specific amounts granted under the Local Employment Acts, the investment grants differential, the regional employment premium, the selective employment premium, and the Department of Employment and Productivity's assistance to industrial training.

Mr. Varley:

The following is the information:

£ million
1969–70 (Provisional)
Assistance offered under the Local Employment Acts 13.8
Investment Grants Differential (estimated) 23
Regional Employment Premium (estimated) 18
Selective Employment Premium (estimated) 4.5
D.E.P. Assistance to industrial training (excluding Government Training Centres) 0.4
Total preferential assistance 59.7