§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the fact that printers and publishers in a development area can claim investment grant on all preparatory work up to platemaking thus reducing printing costs by 22 per cent., whether he will investigate the effect of this advantage over printers in other areas to satisfy himself that it is consistent with Government investment policy and with fair competition; if he will re-examine the position on investment grants to printers generally; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieUnder Part I of the Industry Act 1972, regional development grants may be paid on expenditure in providing new machinery or plant for use in qualifying premises in a development area.
Qualifying premises are premises used wholly or mainly for qualifying activities of which printing is one. It follows—as every post-war administration has intended—that printers in an assisted area who satisfy the requirements of the Act are at an advantage in comparison 464W with those engaged in like activities outside such areas.