§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many firms applied to his Department after 28 May for the small engineering firms investment scheme; and if he will reopen the scheme for further applications.
§ Mr. MacGregorA total of 81 applications have been received since the scheme was closed on 28 May 1982. The Government currently have no plans to re-open the scheme. As my hon. Friend knows, a further £10 million was allocated to the scheme because of the exceptionally good response from small firms through a re-allocation of departmental funding priorities, making £30 million in all. I stressed from the outset the original sum available within the Government's public expenditure programme, and that applications would be dealt with on a first come, first served basis.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Industry for how long the small engineering firms investment scheme was open for applications; how many applications were received; and how many applications came from each of the regions.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe scheme was open for eight and a half weeks during which time 1,748 firms applied for assistance. The regional breakdown is:
Breakdown of Applications by region Total Scotland 87 Wales 47 Northern Ireland 35 North West 161 East Midlands 123 North East 73 Yorkshire and Humberside 131 South West 177 South East 577 West Midlands 337 Total 1,748