§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many local and United Kingdom firms have failed in Northern Ireland during the past 10 years; and how much public investment has been lost thereby.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Department of Commerce records indicate that 87 firms of Northern Ireland or Great Britain origin in receipt of selective assistance under the industries development legislation 407W closed during the years 1970 to 1979 inclusive; and that selective aid amounting to some £32 million was paid to these firms, of which recoveries have amounted to some £2 million. A number of the firms had provided employment for a substantial period prior to closure—many, indeed, were established Northern Ireland companies which had been assisted to expand—and I would find it difficult to accept that the public contribution in these cases was " lost ".