§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which industrial concerns are currently in receipt of Government financial assistance; and if he will list them together with the amount of help they are receiving.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThere are two main schemes of governmental financial assistance to industry in Northern Ireland; a standard scheme of capital grants—currently at a rate of 30 per cent.—provided under the Industries Investment (General Assistance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, and a selective scheme administered under the Industries Development Acts (Northern Ireland) 1966 and 1971. All manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland engaged in a qualifying industrial process may apply for assistance under the standard scheme. Those receiving such assistance numbered 1,324 in the year ending 31 March 1979.
Under the selective scheme, assistance, which may last for some years, is individually negotiated and agreed with each firm. The details of such assistance are considered confidential between the Government and the company concerned. There are over 300 companies whose agrrements with the Government are still in force.