HC Deb 08 March 1988 vol 129 cc152-3W
Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the grants awarded to the United States Tobacco Company to set up and maintain its company in East Kilbride.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 7 March 1988]: I refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing) on 4 March.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if it is his intention to provide additional grant support to the United States Tobacco Company in East Kilbride to manufacture products other than tobacco products for oral use, consequent upon the announcement made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie), on 26 February, Official Report, column 362, concerning a prohibition on tobacco products for oral use.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 7 March 1988]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 3 March. It is, of course, open to the company to apply for relevant grants for any projects which it is considering.

Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to provide alternative employment for the employees of the United States Tobacco Company in East Kilbride consequent upon the announcement made by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, the hon. Member for Derbyshire, South (Mrs. Currie), on 26 February,Official Report, column 362, concerning a prohibition on tobacco products for oral use.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 7 March 1988]: I refer to my previous reply to the hon. Member on 3 March.

Mr. Harry Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he intends to discuss with United States Tobacco the refunding of financial assistance given to it for the manufacture of Skoal Bandits.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 4 March 1988]: Any question of the refunding of financial assistance in relation to United States Tobacco will arise only if the conditions under which assistance was given are breached. I have no evidence at this time that any such breach has taken place.

Mr. Harry Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what date it was decided to give financial assistance to United States Tobacco for the manufacture of Skoal Bandits; and what was the total amount of assistance given.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 4 March 1988]: Financial assistance in terms of the Industrial Development Act 1982 was offered to United States Tobacco on 27 November 1984. To date the only payments made have been under the regional development grant scheme and amount to £193,357.

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