HC Deb 26 January 1988 vol 126 cc149-50W
Mr. Alan Williams

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if there are any proposals to change the criteria for granting regional selective assistance or the ceilings of such aid as a result of the ending of automatic grants.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 25 January 1988]: As the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster said in the House on 12 January 1988 at column 160, there are no proposals to change the essential criteria for granting regional selective assistance. We shall ensure that the criteria—particularly additionalityy, ie whether assistance is necessary to enable a project to proceed—are applied rigorously in the interests of securing maximum value from the resources devoted to the scheme.

The present ceilings on regional assistance are expressed in terms of the total amount of assistance which can be provided for a project. With the ending of regional development grant it will be possible in development areas for the same amount to be provided in RSA as could previously be provided in RDG and RSA combined. The amount actually offered in individual cases is the minimum needed for the project to proceed.

Mr. Blair

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many successful applications for regional selective assistance are forecast for 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 25 January 1988]: The number of successful applications for regional selective assistance will depend on the number and quality of applications which come forward. It is estimated that in England there will be approximately 1,600 applications during 1987-88 resulting in RSA offers. It is not possible to provide a forecast for future years with any degree of confidence, but the number is likely to increase.

Mr. Blair

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will forecast the level of regional selective assistance for 1990–91.

Mr. Atkins

[holding answer 25 January 1988]: The planned level of provision for expenditure on regional selective assistance in England in 1990–91 is approximately £150 million, of which some £130 million is for industrial and training grants. Residual commitments under the business improvement services scheme, and expenditure under the exchange risk guarantee scheme account for the remainder. These amounts are net of recoveries and other domestic receipts, but gross of receipts from the European regional development fund.