§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms in Torrington and North Devon are owed development and other grants by the Government.
§ Mr. David MitchellOffers of selective financial assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act or monies not yet due for payment for regional development grant applications approved do not constitute debts owed by the Department. In the Cardiff regional development grants office, which deals with applications from the whole of Wales and the South-West assisted areas, including North Devon, payment of £26.6 million of grant (2,480 applications) was outstanding as a result of the four-month deferment of the payment of approved claims announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 12 June 1979.
I regret that separate figures for Torrington and North Devon are not available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.