§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry why Kellogg's was advised to locate in the intermediate area of Wrexham; whether consideration was given to Kirkby in this connection; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HefferI understand that the company considered a number of locations, including some in the North-West Region, before reaching the decision that a site in the Welsh Development Area at Wrexham best suited the company's requirements.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much selective assistance has been given, in the form of cheap loans under Section 7 of the Industry Act, to firms in the Kirkby area to assist in the creation of employment since the introduction of the Act.
§ Mr. HefferUp to 30th June 1974, six loans totalling £277,000 and 32 interest relief grants totalling £1,080,000 had been offered under Section 7 of the Industry 13W Act to firms in the Merseyside Development Area to assist in the creation of new jobs estimated at nearly 3,000 in projects estimated to cost in total £22 million.
I regret that the information relating to the Kirkby area is not readily available.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will ensure that consideration is given to the claims of Kirkby, and the high level of unemployment in the area, when considering Mars' location.
§ Mr. HefferThe claims of Merseyside are always given prominence in giving advice to firms in possible locations for industrial projects.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many companies have been attracted to the Kirkby area in the last five years; and how many jobs were created.
§ Mr. HefferThe Department is aware of 14 companies attracted to the Kirkby employment exchange area since 1969, promising approximately 2,500 new jobs.
GOVERNMENT GRANTS TO TEN LEADING COMPANIES: 1970–73 £'000 Company group 1970 1971 1972 1973 Total Allied Breweries … 730 680 380 310 2,100 Esso … … 6,390 5,980 9,420 9,500 31,290 Fords … … 3,530 8,510 2,860 1,810 16,710 GEC … … 3,700 3,050 2,030 1,230 10,010 GKN … … 2,330 3,120 1,630 1,150 8,230 ICI … … 27,770 26,090 7,840 13,040 74,730 Rank Hovis McDougal 1,250 880 290 130 2,550 Tate & Lyle … … 900 680 2,720 1,040 5,350 Unilever … … 4,010 3,480 1,230 640 9,360 Imperial Group … 1,880 1,650 870 770 5,180 Totals … … 52,500 54,130 29,270 29,620 165,510 Notes: (i) The figures which relate to calendar years are given correct to the nearest £10,000. They are individually rounded and may not therefore add up exactly to the totals shown. (ii) Kinds of grants considered: Investment grants. Regional development grants. Local Employment Acts: Building grants. Plant and machinery grants. Operational grants. Removal grants. Industry Act 1972, sections 7 and 8: Interest relief grants. Removal grants. Grants under section 8. Shipbuilding Industry Board grants. Construction grants for ships (Industry Act 1972, s. 11). Any grants under special schemes of assistance to shipyards. Grants under the Hotel Development Incentive Scheme.