§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the criteria for eligibility of companies applying for assistance to locate in development areas, intermediate areas or enterprise zones; and if account is taken of an applicant company closing a factory elsewhere in the United Kingdom or of any job losses thereby incurred.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe criteria for eligibility for regional development grants are published in appendix 4 of the annual report on the Industrial Development Act 1982, and for regional selective assistance in appendix 5.
When assessing the amount of regional development grant, account is taken of job losses in the assisted areas by the applicant or any associated undertaking as a direct result of the project. When assessing applications for regional selective assistance, account is taken of job losses elsewhere in the United Kingdom, with particular regard to losses within the assisted areas. Relocation projects where there is no net increase in jobs are normally excluded from regional selective assistance.
All industrial and commercial companies locating in enterprise zones (which are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment) are eligible for the benefits available in those zones. The scheme is administered by the local authorities concerned who apply criteria under schedule 32 to the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980.