HC Deb 21 March 1989 vol 149 cc546-7W
Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total expenditure on regional selective assistance for each of the years 1983–84 to 1987–88, inclusive and the estimated expenditure for 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.

Mr. Lang

Total gross expenditure on regional selective assistance and related schemes in the years 1983–84 to 1987–88 inclusive are £28.2 million, £38.2 million, £55.0 million, £43.9 million and £45.5 million respectively. Estimated gross expenditure in 1988–89 is expected to be around £44 million. Planned provision for 1989–90 is published in the Supply Estimates. Planned net provision (including regional enterprise grants), consistent with the figures published in "Public Expenditure to 1991–92, A Commentary on the Scotland Programme", for each of the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 is approximately £80 million. Actual expenditure in these years will depend on the extent to which companies come forward with good projects. We shall continue to encourage Scottish businesses to take full advantage of the provision on offer.