§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the present levels of delegated authority for his Department's regional offices in assisted areas for the purpose of selective financial assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAt present my Department's three principal offices in the assisted areas, the Northern, North-West and Yorkshire and Humberside offices, may provide loans of up to £1 million, in cases falling within the guidelines for assistance. As from today these offices will be able to decide cases up to £2 million. Corresponding increases in delegated financial limits on other forms of assistance such as service industry removal grants are also being made. The new arrangements mean that the main English assisted area offices will now be able to handle in the regions nearly all straightforward cases which will assist the creation of employment.