Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many jobs have been created by inward investment in the north of England, Scotland and Wales in each year since 1978; and how many are in prospect in each of these regions.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe following are Invest in Britain Bureau figures for the numbers of jobs expected to be created or safeguarded, long term, by inward investment projects announced in each year since 1979 (the earliest for which formal records are available) in the areas specified. The figures are based upon information provided by the companies themselves: not every decision is accompanied by an employment estimate.
Up to £ Northern Development Company (in the north-east) 935,000 Yorkshire and Humberside Development Association 630,000 Inward Ltd. (in the north-east) 450,000 West Midlands Industrial Development Association 400,000 Devon and Cornwall Development Bureau 375,000 I have also offered the Northern Development Company grant-aid of up to £200,000 for its wider activities aimed at the regeneration of the region (This compares with £180,000 for 1987 –88). In addition, given 371W the NDC's support to the small business sector, a further £30,000 will be offered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.
Consistent with the thrust of the enterprise initiative, with its strong emphasis on self-help and professionalism, I have been reviewing the Government's future funding policy for the regional development organisations. In future years I shall be looking to the regions' private sector organisations and local authorities to become much more closely involved in both the management and the funding of these bodies.