§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the forms of special assistance currently available to traders to cushion the costs of necessary security measures.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe Department of Commerce administers the Security Staff Grants Scheme, which provides 75 per cent. of the wages of one security guard per 100 or part of 100 employees, to a maximum of £1,400 per guard and five guards. The scheme is open to any business with 10 or more employees and to smaller firms employing more than ten full-time workers in total and willing to band together to employ a guard. Any additional guards are subsidised at a rate of 50 per cent. to a maximum of £1,050. The Department also provides 937W 50 per cent. of the costs of engaging an independent security organisation.