§ Mr. Bulmerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what help has been extended to the carpet industry in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and in what form it was given.
§ Mr. ButlerFrom 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1984, a total of £3,956,434 was paid to the carpet industry by the Department of Economic Development (including the Industrial Development Board). This financial assistance takes the form of grants and loans— including grants towards capital expenditure—under schemes to promote investment, industrial training and the creation and maintenance of jobs. The breakdown is as follows:
Scheme 1981–82 £ 1982–83 £ 1983–84 £ Training on employers premises scheme Nil 6,610 36,770 Temporary short time working compensation scheme* 73,215 Nil 48,030 Apprentice training grant scheme Nil Nil 2,000 Young workers scheme† Nil 390 585 Standard capital grants 18,462 50,684 54,887 Training grant scheme‡ Nil 430 2,073 Local enterprise development unit —selective financial assistance 13,594 43,043 27,112 Industrial Development Board for NI—selective financial assistance and market research assistance 550,440 1,748,708 1,279,401 Totals 655,711 1,849,865 1,450,858 * This scheme closed for applications on 31 March 1984. † This scheme commenced on 4 January 1982. ‡ This scheme commenced on 25 October 1982. During the same period, a total of £30,829 was paid to the carpet industry in Northern Ireland from the European social fund.