§ Mr. Harry Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will rake a statement on the combined financial assistance given to SGS/ATES Falkirk by the Scottish Development Agency and the EEC; and for what specific purpose the assistance was requested and given.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherThe company has never requested nor received financial assistance from the Scottish Development Agency. In July 1980, an investment by the company at Falkirk was approved by the European Commission for a grant from the European regional development fund which will be received by the Government in the form of partial re-imbursement of the regional development assistance paid to the company under the Industry Act 1972.
59W
§ Mr. Harry Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent approaches he has had from SGS/ATES Falkirk for discussions with a view to it obtaining assistance in its present difficulties.
§ Mr. FletcherMy right hon. Friend has received no approach from SGS/ATES Falkirk to discuss its present difficulties but my officials were informed by the local management of the parent company's intention to close the Falkirk premises in April as a result of a decision to reorganise production.
§ Mr. Harry Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much money has been paid in grants from his Department to SGS/ATES Falkirk since 1970.
§ Mr. FletcherThe amounts of selective financial assistance paid to firms are confidential but arrangements exist for the publication inBritish Business of limited information on offers of assistance to individual companies under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972. Details of an offer by the Department to SGS/ATES Falkirk of an interest relief grant of £180,880 were published in December 1979.