HC Deb 02 April 1979 vol 965 cc466-7W
Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 1978, Official Report, column 590, he will give the latest figures for regional assistance by programme granted to firms in Scotland; and what these were as a percentage compared with Great; Britain as a whole.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

The information is as follows:

industry per head of employee in (a) the assisted areas of Scotland and (b) in the assisted areas of England.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

The information is as follows:

loan and convertible preference shares, in 22 companies. In three of these the share of the equity is between 30 per cent. and 50 per cent., and in six the shareholding is over 50 per cent.

Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 25 July 1978, Official Report, column 677, he will give the total loss to date by the Scottish Development Agency as a result of investment in firms that have subsequently failed.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

I refer the hon. Member to the agency's annual report for 1977–78, a copy of which is in the Library.

Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 25 July 1978, Official Report, column 677, he will list the sums so far made available to the Scottish Development Agency.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

£107.6 million.

Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 1978, Official Report, column 687, he will give the latest figures for total expenditure of the Scottish Development Agency since its inception; and what funds are being made available to it in the year 1981–82.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

The agency spent £124 million gross to 28 February 1979. The provision included in Cmnd. 7439 for 1981–82, revalued to 1979 survey prices, is £96.6 million.

Mr. Younger

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the total expenditure by the Scottish Development Agency on industrial investment to the present date; and what has so far been committed to capital projects.

Mr. Gregor MacKenzie

The agency has undertaken industrial investments totalling £21 million to 28 March 1979. Expenditure, both actual and committed, on capital projects amounted at 28 February 1979 to £131 million.