§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list in the Official Report the various Government grant schemes which are available to help bring employment to Skelmersdale New Town and to the rest of the Ince constituency.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieSkelmersdale New Town has special development area status which means that, in addition to national schemes to encourage investment, the full range of regional incentives is available to firms setting up or expanding there. These include regional development grants at 22 per cent. for new buildings and plant and machinery for qualifying industries; selective financial assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972; the regional employment premium; and Government factories for sale or rent with, in some cases, rent-free periods.
The remainder of the Ince constituency is in an intermediate area where the main regional incentives available for new projects are regional development grants at 20 per cent. for new buildings; selective financial assistance under Section 7 of the 1972 Industry Act; and Government factories.