§ Dr. John A. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total amount of industrial development aid in annual terms currently being provided by Her Majesty's Government to the regions ; what proportion of the total is represented by regional employment premium ; what Great Britain's annual contribution to the EEC regional fund will be in 1974 ; and what sum he estimates will be repaid to the British regions.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI estimate that in 1973–74 Government preferential assistance to industry in the assisted areas will amount to about £360 million, of which REP will account for about £104 million, or nearly 28 per cent. These figures are based on those given in the White Paper Cmnd 5519 "Public Expenditure to 1977–78" published in December 1973.
Until final decisions have been taken on the size and other details of the Regional Development Fund it will not be possible to estimate the size of Her Majesty's Government's contribution, nor the amount of aid to be received.