§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the total value of regional assistance given to companies in Sunderland for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Atkins[holding answer 18 January 1988]:The total value of regional assistance given to companies in Sunderland for each year since 1979 is as follows:
£ million RSA offered RDG I paid RDG II offered 1979 1.1 1.5 — 1980 3.6 1.2 — 1981 2.2 2.6 — 1982 1.8 2.7 — 1983 2.5 1.6 — 1984 38.0 2.1 — 1985 1.6 1.6 3.1 1986 2.5 1.2 5.8 1987 3.3 1.2 6.8 The RSA figure for 1984 includes the £35 million offered in respect of the Nissan project. The RDG I figures relate to published information for the Sunderland employment office area and identify individual payments in excess of £25,000. The Department does not maintain more detailed statistics. The RDG II scheme commenced in November 1984 and there were no offers in that year.