§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the very low uptake by industry in Wales of aid under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, what steps he intends taking to increase the effectiveness of the sectoral schemes.
§ Mr. CryerThe industry schemes under Section 8 of the Industry Act 1972 are designed to encourage modernisation in particular sectors of industry and are not, therefore, directed at geographical areas of the United Kingdom. Assistance under these schemes is normally an alternative to regional selective assistance under Section 7, and in Wales £53 million of Section 7 assistance has been provided since 1974. Currently, 2,787 projects have been approved or are being considered under Section 8 schemes and they have been generally successful in achieving their objectives.