§ 16. Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations 439W he has received concerning the decision to remove mining from the categories of industry that qualify for regional development grants after 1st April 1977; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThere have been over a dozen representations on behalf of companies or representative organisations The withdrawal of regional development grants from the mining and construction industries from 1st April next was a necessary consequence of the decision to concentrate these grants in future on the manufacturing industry in the assisted areas. This is in accordance with the Government's industrial strategy and the need, announced by the Chancellor last July, to secure major savings in public expenditure in 1977–8.