§ 36. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to reduce delay in the payment of Government grants to companies qualified to receive them; and what is the total amount currently outstanding and owing to companies in Scotland.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieOn 15th January 1976, 3,807 applications for regional development grants were outstanding in the Glasgow grants office, involving grants of approximately £33 million. Extra staff have been allocated to that office and are now being recruited. Interim measures taken to96W reduce the arrears include the temporary loan of experienced staff from other grants offices, the temporary suspension of activities other than claims clearance, and overtime working.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, because of the need to give special help to towns, areas, or regions which most need it, he will consider changing the present regional grant aid policy to enable him to do this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieRegional incentives are designed to help areas with severe long-term unemployment and related problems. They are not instruments to deal with recessions. The Government have recently introduced a number of measures to create and preserve jobs and to bring forward new investment in order to alleviate the effects of the recession. These are being applied both within and without the assisted areas.
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for Industry what sums in regional development grants have been received by Scotland and by the Yorkshire and Humberside Region, respectively.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe amount of regional development grant paid to firms in Scotland and the Yorkshire and Humberside Region up to 30th September 1975, the latest date for which this detailed information is available, is £134.2 million and £23.9 million respectively.