§ Mr. McBrideasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is, to the latest convenient date, the number of applications for assistance, under the Industry Act, the location of the firms applying, the number of applications approved, and the total amount of this financial assistance.
§ Mr. ChatawayAt 9th November some 500 applications for regional development grants under Part I of the Industry Act 1972 had been received. On these it is estimated that around £1.5 million will be payable. About one third of this had been paid. No geographical analysis of the applications is yet available.
One hundred and ninety-eight firm applications for financial assistance under Part II were received up to 31st October. By that date four formal offers had been made involving commitments amounting to around £7.5 million. In addition, as already announced, assistance under Part II is being provided for the benefit of Govan Shipbuilders Limited and Cammell Laird (Shipbuilders) Limited. The location of the 198 applicants is:
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Number of Applications* Scotland 49 Wales 18 Assisted areas in England 119 Outside the assisted areas 12 Total 198 * For projects providing new employment the location given is that in which the new employment will be provided. This is not necessarily the current location of the applicant. Thirty-two applications for construction grant under Part III of the Act were under consideration at 8th November. On these it is estimated that around £1.8 million will be payable. The location of the applicants is as follows:
Number of Applications* United Kingdom Assisted Areas Scotland 12 England and Northern Ireland 15 Other areas in England 5 Payment of grant will commence shortly.