§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list all the firms, showing the number of employees for each firm, which have applied for funds under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 and which have been refused assistance.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe disclosure of such information would be contrary to the understanding of confidentiality with companies applying for selective financial assistance, and embodied in the arrangements notified by my predecessor to the House on 31st July 1974.