§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total value of grants made up to 31st December 1976 under the Clothing Industry Scheme; how many different projects these cover; and what is the principal purpose of these grants.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe total amount of assistance offered under the Clothing Industry Scheme up to 31st December 1976 was £827,300, of which £170,800 275W had actually been paid. Of this total, £120,700 was offered towards 64 consultancy projects and the remaining £696,600 towards the cost of 29 investment and restructuring projects. The purpose of the scheme is to promote the improvement of productivity and efficiency and to encourage rationalisation and restructuring in the clothing industry.
The House was informed, on 7th December 1976, of improvements to the terms of assistance available to firms under this scheme, and the above figures include some projects where offers of assistance have been made at the new higher rate.