§ Mr. Ormeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what the increase of 1 per cent. in regional aid means in additional expenditure for 1982–83.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 1982, c. 261]: In his statement on regional industrial policy on 28 June my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry announced further changes in the coverage of the assisted areas from 1 August this year which will increase the percentage of the working population of Great Britain covered by them from around 26 per cent., as originally proposed, to about 27 per cent. The additional expenditure expected to arise in 1982–83 from this increase in coverage and the changes in grading announced at the same time is estimated at about £6 million.