§ 33. Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his latest estimate of the total amount of grants out of public funds which will go to industries in the United Kingdom in the current financial year.
§ Mr. MacGregor:I do not have access to the total figure of grants from public funds, but support from my Department for United Kingdom industry in the current financial year is estimated to be around £2 billion. This
290Wsince coming into office has been to concentrate the available resources of regional aid on the areas which require it most. Such evidence as there is available, relating to earlier periods, suggests that regional policy is more likely to be effective when it is concentrated in this way. It is too early to make any assessment of the later changes as many of them have only recently come into effect. I am satisfied that the current coverage of regional industrial assistance correctly reflects the relative needs of the various parts of the country.