§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the total value of regional development grant payments made to the British Steel Corporation in the years 1976 and 1977; and what percentage of the total regional development grants made those payments represented.
§ Mr. CryerIn 1976 regional development grants totalling £71.0 million were paid to the British Steel Corporation, representing 18.3 per cent. of the total value of grant. 1n 1977, £56.9 million of grant was paid, representing 17.2 per cent. of the total grant paid.
§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Industry what consideration he has given to extending or adapting the regional development grant to cover service industries.
§ Mr. CryerThe question of extending the scope of RDGs has been considered from time to time, but it is in line with the Government's industrial strategy that resources available for these grants should be concentrated on the encouragement of investment in manufacturing industry in the assisted areas and there are no plans to extend RDGs to the service industries.