§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total expenditure in Great Britain on 266W development fund from August to December 1982; what percentage this figure represents of the total quota section for that year; and whether he will give the equivalent figures for August to December 1981.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe following table shows for each of the years 1981 and 1982 the total amounts of aid from the quota section of the European regional develoment fund allocated in respect of each region of the United Kingdom and the amount—and percentage—allocated in the period August to December.
Detailed breakdown by project of the allocations for the periods August to December 1981 and 1982 were published in British Business for 9 October 1981, 5 February 1982, 8 October 1982 and 14 January 1983.
regional preferential assistance in cash and at 1978–79 prices during 1982–83 to the most recent convenient date; and what was the figure for the comparable period in 1981–82.
§ Mr. MacGregorExpenditure in Great Britain on the main items of regional preferential expenditure is as follows:
£ million 1981–82 (Outturn) 1982–83 (Estimate) Cash 867 842 1978–79 prices (using GDP deflator) 566 511 The items included are regional development grants, regional selective financial assistance under the Industrial Development Act 1982, expenditure on land and factories in assisted areas, and assistance provided by the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will press for derelict land clearance areas to qualify for assistance from the quota section of the European regional development fund.
§ Mr. MacGregorIt would not be appropriate to do so.