§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Industry what plans he has for improving the office and service industries scheme.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe office and service industries scheme, part of the package of regional selective assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972, has recently been reviewed and I am today introducing some improvements to the scheme. The main improvements are:
- a. to increase the maximum levels of grant by one-third;
- b. to introduce new grants to help with feasibility studies commissioned by applicants;
- c. to relax the mobility qualification in respect of firms supplying specified producer services—mainly professional advice— to other companies.
Any additional expenditure on the scheme will be contained within the plans for public expenditure in support of industry set out in table 2.4 of Cmnd. 8175. A copy of the press notice announcing the changes to the scheme has been placed in the Library.
(£000) Liverpool Manchester Birmingham Newcastle Leeds Section 7 1974–75 8,907 1,799 — 265 385 1975–76 3,944 810 — 146 343 1976–77 1,064 1,325 — 180 269 1977–78 2,288 1,059 — 451 626 1978–79 2,079 1,430 — 666 553 1979–80 3,900 1,587 — 719 597 1980–81 3,475 2,590 — 573 1,696 Section 8 1974–75 — 40 — — 41 1975–76 — — — — 41 1976–77 63 270 48 — 514 1977–78 116 1,015 626 — 1,013 1978–79 286 3,105 2,158 5 2,732 1979–80 173 3,223 1,916 83 1,643 1980–81 174 1,477 1,580 183 2,451 The amount of selective assistance paid out under sections 7 and 8 of the Industry Act 1972, as amended, in