§ Mr. Peter Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new jobs have been promoted by the Department of Commerce in 1980; how many jobs were lost during the same period; and what was the amount and type of Government grant paid out in 1980 to promote new jobs and to prevent wastage.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerA total of 5,545 jobs were: promoted by the Department of Commerce in 1980. A further 1,169 were promoted by the Local Enterprise. Development Unit and 144 by the Northern Ireland Development Agency. In that year total employment in Northern Ireland fell by 25,450. Information on the amount of Government assistance paid to assist investment and to create and maintain employment during the calendar year 1980 is not readily available, but the following information relates to the financial year 1980–81:
119W
£ million Assistance from the Department of Commerce Industrial development grant and loan payments 81.7 Standard capital grants 39.8 Assistance from the Department of Manpower Services Training and related grants 8.1 Employment support grants 11.3
£ million Investment by the Northern Ireland Development Agency 6.8 Assistance from the Local Enterprise Development Unit (Grants and Loans) 4.8