§ Mr. Bulmerasked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money has been given by his Department in financial support to the carpet industry since 1 January 1975; what form this assistance has taken and under which schemes it has been given; and if he will divide the amounts to show how much has been spent (a) in the North of England, (b) in the South of England, (c) in the West Midlands, (d) in Wales and (e) in Scotland.
§ Mr. MacGregorSelective financial assistance in the form of grants has been made available to companies in the carpet industry under sections 7 and 8 of the Industry Act 1972 for the period 1 January 1975 to 30 April 1982 as follows:
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Section 7: Offers of regional selective assistance Section 8: Offers of regional selective assistance Number of offers Assistance offered Number of offers Assistance offered £'000 £'000 North East 1 131 — — North West 12 990 12 74 Yorkshire-Humberside 14 1,827 10 18 South West — — 4 30
Section 7: Offers of regional selective assistance Section 8: Offers of regional selective assistance Number of offers Assistance offered Number of offers Assistance offered £'000 £'000 London and South East — — 1 240 Wales *3 *1,006 — — Scotland * * 7 18 *30 *3,954 34 380 * Assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act to companies in Wales and Scotland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and Scotland, respectively. Details of Scottish assistance will be given in answer to my hon. Friend's question addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. Information relating to regional development grants given to companies in the carpet industry is not readily available and cannot be provided without disproportionate cost.
Carpet manufacturers in Kidderminister as elsewhere can also benefit from a range of schemes designed to promote investment in new technology, the development of new products and processes, and the use of consultancy advice, but details of take-up in the industry are not readily available.