§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the terms and amounts of Government assistance for new buildings, new machinery and training cost for personnel in development and intermediate areas.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonRegional development grant is paid towards approved projects of investment in the development areas. Grant is assessed at the higher of
- (i) 15 per cent. of eligible capital expenditure subject, where applicable, to a grant per job limit; and
- (ii) £3,000 for each net new job created, subject, where application, to a limit imposed by the European Community.
Regional selective assistance can be paid to projects in both the development and the intermediate areas which satisfy the necessary criteria. Assistance normally takes the form of a project grant which is negotiated at the minimum level necessary to enable the project to go ahead on the basis proposed. It is subject to limits imposed by the European Community. Training grant may also be available up to a maximum of 40 per cent. of eligible training cost, subject to satisfying European Community requirements. This attracts a matching grant from the European social fund.