§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what incentives his Department could make available to firms contemplating moving out of an inner-city partnership area to a special development area; and whether any incentives are available to firms contemplating moving out of an assisted area into an inner-city partnership area.
§ Mr. CryerThe White Paper "Policy for the Inner Cities", Cmnd. 6845, recognised that the assisted areas should continue to receive priority and that an regional preference should be introduced for certain inner city areas.
The Inner Urban Areas Bill provides for certain increases in the powers of local authorities to assist industry.
The main incentives available in the special development areas are:
- (1) Regional development grants of 22 per cent. of the cost of new buildings, plant and machinery.
- (2) Regional selective assistance available in the form of loans or interest relief grants.
- (3) Government factories, advance or custom built, available for rent or purchase.