HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 cc69-70W
Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give(a) the number of applications for regional selective assistance received between 1 April 1988 and 30 September 1989, (b) the total number of applications approved, (c) the total amount of expenditure involved and (d) the total estimated expenditure for 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 in cash and constant prices.

Mr. Lang

The figures requested for regional selective assistance are as follows:

Number
Applications received between 1 April 1988 and 30 September 1989: 430
Offers made between 1 April 1988 and 30 September 1989: 346
Total value of these offers £117 million

Total gross expenditure on regional selective assistance (RSA) in Scotland in 1988–89 was £38 million (equivalent to around £40 million at estimated constant 1989–90 prices). Gross provision for 1989–90 is £52 million. Planned net provision for regional selective assistance and related schemes (including regional enterprise grants) consistent with figures given 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, both this year and in these future years, will depend on the extent to which companies come forward with good projects and also on the extent to which they submit claims on existing offers. We shall continue to encourage Scottish businesses to take full advantage of the provision available.

Mr. McLeish

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will give(a) the total number of applications for regional development grants outstanding at 31 March 1988, (b) the total number of applications processed by 30 September 1989, (c) the total amount of expenditure involved and (d) the total estimated expenditure planned for 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 in cash at constant prices.

Mr. Lang

The figures are for the revised regional development grant (RDG2) scheme.

Number
Number of applications outstanding at 31 March 1988: 5,117
Number of these processed by 30 September 1989: 5,117
Total value of approvals on these applications £189 million

Total gross expenditure on the RDG2 scheme in 1988–89 was £51 million (equivalent to around £54 million at estimated constant 1989–90 prices). Estimated gross expenditure on the RDG2 scheme in 1989–90 is expected to be around £53 million. Planned net provision for both the old and revised regional development grant schemes consistent with figures given in "Public Expenditure to 1991–92, A Commentary on The Scotland Programme" for each of the years 1990–91 and 1991–92 is approximately £30 million.