§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for industry what additional funds will be made available for industrial development in English development areas in order to provide more selective assistance as a replacement for the regional employment premium; and whether any of these funds will be disbursed through the Development Commission.
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 15th December that an additional £80 million will be made available in each of the next two years for expenditure on selective assistance to industry. Suitable projects in the English development areas as elsewhere in Great Britain, will be eligible for assistance under the new Selective Investment Scheme and the various industry schemes. Assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 will continue to be available. There are separate arrangements for providing funds for the Development commission.