HL Deb 26 October 1982 vol 435 cc477-8WA
Lord Blease

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the number of applications for selective financial assistance that have been considered during each of the periods: 1979–80; 1980–81 and 1981–82 (latest date), by each of the following:—

1. The industrial development advisory committee of the Department of Commerce, Northern Ireland;

2. The finance committee of the Local Enterprise Development Unit (Northern Ireland);

3. The board of the Northern Ireland Development Agency under the following headings:—

  1. (a) applications approved and assistance given, and
  2. (b) applications refused;

and whether they will also publish the numbers of such applications (a) approved, (b) refused, under each category that have arisen from individuals or enterprises operating in:—

  1. (i) Northern Ireland;
  2. (ii) Great Britain;
  3. (iii) Republic of Ireland;
  4. (iv) United States of America;
  5. (v) Europe (others);
  6. (vi) Others.

The Earl of Gowrie

The information requested by the noble Lord is set out below as far as possible in the form requested.

1. INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

I would refer the noble Lord to the information provided in the reports on industrial development assistance by the Department of Commerce for the years ending 31st March 1980, 31st March 1981 and 31st March 1982, copies of which are available in the House of Lords Library. Additional information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

2. LOCAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Applications 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83
(6 months)
Approved 128 121 201 170
Refused 5 5 8 6
Financial Assistance (£m) 5.1 4 6.2 3.2

The following table shows the breakdown by area of applications approved. A similar breakdown of area for applications refused could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83
6 months
Northern Ireland 124 119 195 162
Great Britain 2 1 3 5
Republic of Ireland 2 1 3 3

3. NORTHERN IRELAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

5 months
to
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 31.8.82
Applications N/A 41 (Est) 51 11
Withdrawn N/A 4 (Est) 7 2
37 44 9
Rejected N/A 21 33 6
Approved 22 16 11 3
Financial Assistance (£m) 9.0 6.6 1.6 0.4

The following table shows the breakdown by area of applications approved, with the exception of financial year 1979–80. Information on this year and a similar breakdown for applications which were refused would be provided only at disproportionate cost.

5 months
to
1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 31.8.82
Northern Ireland 11 9 1
Great Britain 1 1 1
Republic of Ireland — — —
United States of America 3 — 1
Europe — 1 —
Other 1 — —