HC Deb 24 November 1980 vol 994 cc8-9W
25. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what action is proposed to restore regional assistance and other aids to industry to prevent further deindustrialisation in the United Kingdom.

Mr. David Mitchell

Assistance under the Industry Act continues to be available where it is most needed. But the country's industrial future depends on more firms producing efficiently and competitively the goods their customers want, not on more Government subsidies.

38. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has to review his policy on regional industrial assistance to Blackburn and those other areas of the North-West which are due to lose their status as assisted areas.

Mr. David Mitchell

Blackburn and the other areas referred to in the North-West will continue as assisted areas until August 1982 and will remain eligible for 100 per. cent, grants for approved schemes of land clearance thereafter.