§ Mr. Bowen Wellsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the average length of time elapsing between an initial application for assistance under the aid and trade provision and a final decision being taken on the application.
§ Mr. ChannonApplications for support under the aid and trade provision are processed as quickly as possible in
454Wrecognition of the commercial pressures for a rapid response, subject to their satisfying the commercial, industrial and development criteria for this scheme. The time taken to reach decisions in a particular case can vary from a few days to several months, depending on the commercial circumstances and the availability of the information required to appraise the application. Average figures are not available. As a rule, at least six weeks should be allowed for inquiries and interdepartmental assessment to be completed.