§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the full extent of the aid being given to GEC Fairchild Ltd. for its factory at Neston in Cheshire; and under what schemes or pursuant to what powers the grants are being provided.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldGEC Fairchild Ltd. has accepted an interest relief grant of £2.8 million on their project for a new manufacturing plant to provide up to 1,100 jobs at Neston in the Merseyside special development area. This grant has been made under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972. GEC Fairchild is also eligible for regional development grants at the rate appropriate to a special development area. Such grants are made under Part 1 of the Industry Act 1972. It is not possible to state the precise value of these grants, since they are paid in arrears on capital expenditure actually incurred. However, it is estimated that the grants will amount to over £4 million for this project.