§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Industry what his Department is doing to encourage new businesses in industry to start up, relocate or expand in areas where the public sector of the nationalised steel industry is closing down plants.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, 7 December 1981, c. 299]: In response to the most recent major plant closures implemented by the British Steel Corporation the Government have introduced a number of measures designed to encourage businesses in industry along the lines my hon. Friend requests. I refer my hon. Friend to the announcements made in relation to Corby and Shotton on 7 November 1979—[Vol. 973, c. 451–52]—and 13 November 1979—[Vol. 973, c. 1156–58]—and in 1980 in relation to Wales—in particular Port Talbot and Llanwem—and to Consett and Scunthorpe on 4 February 1980—[Vol. 978, c. 40–43]—and 19 June 1980—[Vol. 986, c. 1784–85]—by my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Wales and the former Secretary of State for Industry. Firms in these areas are also able to benefit from low cost EIB and ECSC loans. In addition to these specific measures, our general economic policies are designed to create the right economic conditions for new businesses to start up or expand in all parts of the country, including those areas where steel plant closures have occurred.