§ Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will state the annual value of investment grants paid or authorised at the most convenient recent 12-month period divided as between shipbuilding, computers, hovercraft, and other industrial activities and further indicating how these four groups are divided between development areas and the remainder of the country.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantInvestment grants are paid towards capital expenditure incurred in providing specific categories of assets. In the twelve months ended 9th October, 1970 grants were paid in each category as follows:
Of the total grant paid, £220 million in respect of plant and machinery and just over £1 million in respect of computers was at the Development Area rate.
Plant and Machinery Ships and Hovercraft Computers £462 m. £61 m. £35 m.