HC Deb 29 April 1991 vol 190 cc48-9W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance has been given to Golden West Foods in respect of investment in a bakery and distribution centre in Rochdale.

Mr. Leigh

All applications for assistance by companies from my Department are treated in strictest confidence. However, a press release on 14 January 1991 announced with the consent of the company that a grant of £1.5 million under the regional selective assistance programme had been offered to Golden West Foods Ltd. for a bakery development at Heywood industrial park, Rochdale.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the criteria for assistance to the bakery industry; whether that industry is assessed to be in balance between sales and productive capacity; and what steps are being taken to monitor the creation of projected extra jobs.

Mr. Leigh

Neither my Department nor the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has schemes for assistance specifically tailored to the bakery industry. In common with the rest of industry, the bakery trade may be eligible for regional selective assistance where a project meets the criteria of the scheme. Projects must create or safeguard jobs and satisfy other criteria such as viability, the need for assistance and benefits to the national and regional economy. The advice of MAFF would be sought as to prevailing conditions in the market at the time of any application. My Department monitors the creation of extra jobs in the industry, arising from new capital investment which has received support under RSA, in accordance with the conditions of the grant.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reasons underlie the rejection of the application for aid by Warburton's Ltd. for their new bakery in Newburn, and for a second investment in that bakery.

Mr. Leigh

It is not normal practice to provide details of individual cases where these have been supplied in confidence by a business to the Department. I should be happy to look into the matter if the hon. Member would like to write to me with further details.