§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to the number of grant applications made by the London borough of Newham to the London Docklands development corporation in respect of small businesses which have been refused; if in each case a visit was made to the firm in question; and if reasons for any refusal were given to the borough of Newham.
§ Sir George YoungLDDC has dealt with requests for assistance from 37 firms in the Newham area of docklands of which four applications, all involving sites in the royal docks, have been refused. No visits were made to the firms concerned by LDDC's business development officers as such visits are carried out where necessary by borough officers. I understand that the borough of Newham, which processes grant applications in the area under arrangements agreed with LDDC, is aware that requests for assistance are unlikely to be supported by LDDC if the 243W purpose is to enable firms to set up or expand in areas where the possibility of redevelopment within five years is foreseen. The corporation is, of course, willing to consider requests for assistance in respect of alternative locations in the area.