§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures and initiatives are being undertaken in the northern region to attract investment capital and industry; and if he will publish a table of capital investment in real terms showing the percentage increase this sum represents from May 1979 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggCompanies in the assisted areas of the northern region with proposals for new investment can apply for regional selective assistance under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act. In addition, as part of the enterprise initiative investment grants and innovation grants (up to a maximum of £15,000 and £25,000 respectively) are available to companies employing less than 25 people.
My Department also provides financial support towards the promotional activities of the Northern Development Company; and works closely with other Government Departments, local authorities, development corporations and agencies in promoting a range of initiatives aimed at stimulating enterprise and training. These include projects promoted by the Tyne and Wear city action team, the regional task forces and the administration of the £45 million remedial package for the Sunderland area. The Department is also actively involved in the promotion of exports through services to industry provided by DTI export services.
I regret that information on capital investment in the northern region is not available in the form requested.
However, current price estimates of regional investment by selected industries and by Government are published annually in "Economic Trends"; a copy is available in the Library. The latest published figures may be found in "Economic Trends" No. 421, November 1988, pages 97 and 98. Constant price estimates are not available because there are no regional price indices.