§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) what further plans he has to retain and expand jobs in Skelmersdale;
(2) if he will give details of the activities of his Department in trying to retain and expand jobs in Skelmersdale since October 1974.
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§ Mr. Les HuckfieldSince Skelmersdale is a special development area, firms there qualify, and will continue to qualify, for regional incentives at the highest levels in Great Britain. My Department gives the highest priority to steering mobile projects to such areas. Between October 1974 and 31 December 1978, regional selective assistance totalling £7.2 million was offered to 41 projects in Skelmersdale costing £31.3 million. These projects are expected to create 2,894 jobs and to safeguard a further 1,440 jobs. They include the move of the headquarters of the Co-operative Bank there, which is expected ultimately to create 1,000 jobs. The area also benefits from the availability of regional development grants.