§ 33. Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a further statement on the criteria for obtaining regional selective assistance.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have nothing to add to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Industry's replies of 19 January, at columns671–75, to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, South-East (Mr. Hicks) and to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Blair) and 26 January, at column 149, to the right hon. Member for Swansea, West (Mr. Williams).
§ 35. Mr. McFallTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the regional policy aspects of his Department's recent White Paper.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince the publication of the DTI White Paper on 12 January we have received several representations on aspects of regional policy which refer, amongst other things, to the changes we have made.
§ 51. Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what timetable he envisages for the assessment of eligibility for regional selective assistance.
§ Mr. AtkinsFor offers of regional selective assistance made by my Department in 1987 the average period between receipt of application and date of offer was eight weeks. I am actively considering ways in which the processing time can be kept to a minimum in future—particularly for small applications — consistent with meeting the objectives of the scheme.
Questions about the administration of regional selective assistance in Scotland should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ 64. Mr. Allen McKayTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on his statement on the future of regional policy, and how he proposes to respond to these.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeSince the publication of the DTI White Paper on 12 January we have received several representations on aspects of regional policy which refer, amongst other things, to the changes we have made. We will consider the views expressed very carefully.
§ 66. Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what advice will be available to businesses to enable them to acquire regional selective assistance.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe regional selective assistance scheme is described in the Department's booklet, "The Regional Initiative: Guide to Regional Selective Assistance," which also gives contact points for further inquiries. Officials are available to give further advice to potential applicants as and when it is requested.
§ 68. Mr. Anthony CoombsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the implications of the White Paper "DTI the Department for Enterprise" for the west midlands region.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe west midlands has a strong tradition of entrepreneurship and business enterprise and I have every expectation that the region's businesses will make extensive use of the consultancy initiatives and of the other elements of the enterprise initiative. Regional selective assistance remains available within the west midlands intermediate area. The DTI is establishing new offices in Stoke-on-Trent, Telford, Coventry and Hereford in order to get nearer to the business community. I am sure that the enterprise initiatives will make a very worthwhile contribution to the region's prosperity.
§ 74. Mr. WallaceTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received concerning the future funding of regional aid and the consequences of any changes in regional funds from the European regional development fund.
§ Mr. AtkinsI have received a number of representations about the European Community's current review of its structural funds, including the European regional development fund. The Government consider that the highlands and islands of Scotland should continue to be eligible for the fund. We have made representations to the Commission accordingly.