§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will set out the criteria of his Department in making decisions on what details of financial assistance from public funds to industry should be disclosed publicly or to Parliament on grounds of the need for commercial confidentiality.
§ Mr. CryerAs a compromise between the need to protect a company's commercial position and the wish of the House for early information, details of regional development grants and selective financial assistance under the Industry Act 1972 for a project are published inTrade and Industry in the quarter after the first payment is made. These arrangements were announced to the House on 31st July 1974. Prior to this announcement details were not given of grants and assistance made. In addition, consolidated information, and analyses by region and industrial sector, are provided in the Annual Report to Parliament on the operation of the Industry Act 1972.