§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the(a) shortest time, (b) longest time, (c) median time and (d) arithmetic mean time that it took to process straightforward regional development grant applications processed in 1987.
§ Mr. Peter Walker[holding answer 12 April 1988]: There is no generally accepted definition of a straightforward regional development grant application. Of the total applications dealt with by my Department during 1987, 90 per cent. were processed within four months of receipt. Of these 90 per cent. of cases: (a) the shortest processing time was one day, (b) the longest time was 17 weeks; (c) the median time was eight weeks and (d) the arithmetic mean time was eight weeks. The longer processing time incurred under (b) reflected the need to secure additional supporting information from applicants and to consider policy issues raised by particular applications.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of regional development grant applications under consideration by his Department on 31 March.
§ Mr. Peter Walker[holding answer 12 April 1988]: 1,935 regional development grant applications are under consideration following the ending of the scheme. I am delighted that so many firms have come forward with applications following my invitation to apply for regional development grants before they were phased out. This total of applications received between January and March compares with only 520 in the same period last year. I am delighted that the manner in which the Government have phased out the existing RDG grant in order to make way for increased expenditure by the WDA and on regional selective assistance has resulted in this massive injection of investment into the Welsh economy.