Small Firms Subsidy

HC Deb 27 June 1978 vol 952 cc511-3W

Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications, involving how many new jobs, have been received for the small firms subsidy from companies in inner city areas which be come eligible for the subsidy from 1st July; how many of these applications, involving how many jobs came (a) from the London borough of Lambeth, and (b) from the Lambeth Central constituency; and how many applications in these categories have been approved.

January 1948 as 100, together with comparative indices for the United States of America, France, West Germany and Japan.

Mr. Golding

The information requested is given below, taking the annual average in 1948 as 100. Figures for January 1948 are not available for all countries. In making comparisons, it is important to note that there are differences in coverage and methods of compilation used in each country.

Mr. Golding

None. The small firms employment subsidy scheme is open for applications from 1st July 1978 to 31st March 1979. Since employers submit claims under this scheme at least four weex3, and frequently more, in arrears, reliable indications of the take-up in the Lambeth inner city partnership area will not be available until around September. Officials of my Department are, however, in touch with officials in the London borough of Lambeth to ensure that the scheme is brought fully to the attention of manufacturers in that area.

Mr. Tilley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations have been made to him asking for the small firms subsidy to be extended to firms other than those engaged in manufacturing, in view of the fact that the regeneration of the inner-city economies will require expansion in the service and distribution sector as well as in manufacturing.

Mr. Golding

Since the small firms employment subsidy was introduced on 1st July 1977, I have received 13 representations that the industrial coverage of the scheme should be extended to include firms engaged in activities other than manufacturing, and of these eight were seeking the extension of the scheme into the service and distribution sectors.