§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received from firms in the Stalybridge and Hyde constituency on the withdrawal of assisted area status from the Tameside metropolitan district.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have received representations about a firm in his constituency from the hon. Member, to whom I will be writing shortly.
§ Mr. Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much was spent on schemes to help industry in the Tameside metropolitan borough area with its research and development in the financial year 1979–80; how much has been spent in the current year to date; and how much is still available.
§ Mr. David MitchellDetails of expenditure by the Department of Industry to encourage industrial research and development in the Tameside metropolitan area could be made available only at disproportionate cost. A list of relevant schemes with expenditure in 1979–80 and in the current year was given in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 13 November.—[Vol. 992, e.324–27.] Some money is still available for suitable projects. Officials in the Department's Manchester office can advise potential applicants in the North-Western region.