§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Industry what, as a percentage of the gross national product, has been the Government contribution in each of the last 10 years to date to support manufacturing industry; and how this compares with each of the other European Economic Community countries, the United States of America and Japan.
§ Mr. David MitchellGovernment contributions to support industry are made in numerous ways and complete information in summary form is not available. The table below shows expenditure by the Department of Industry 687W on direct support to industry. No comparable information is available for other countries.
EXPENDITURE BY THE DEPARTMENT Of INDUSTRY ON DIRECT SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY Expenditure financial year £ million Percentage of GNP (at market prices) 1971–72 680 1¼ 1972–73 570 1 1973–74 670 1 1974–75 780 1 1975–76 1,140 1 1976–77 920 ¾ 1977–78 910 ½ 1978–79 1,000 ½ Notes:
1. Expenditure under the following headings has been included:
- Regional Development Grants
- Provision of Land and Buildings
- Assistance to Industry in Assisted Areas
- Assistance for Publicity etc.
- Local Employment Act 1972
- Assistance to individual Industries
- National Enterprise Board
- Investment Grants
- National Research Development Corporation
- Other Support Services
- Concorde
- Rolls Royce
- Other Aircraft and Aero-engines
- Refinancing of Home Shipbuilding Lending
- Interest Support Costs
- Assistance to Shipbuilding
- Assistance to Steel Industry
2. The figures show assistance to all industry. Information relating to manufacturing industry alone is not available.