HC Deb 02 December 1992 vol 215 cc249-50W
23. Mr. Soley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new proposals he has to assist manufacturing industry.

Mr. Heseltine

The autumn statement contained a wide range of measures to help industry. It increased capital allowances, protected major public sector capital projects, encouraged private sector finance for public sector projects, provided £700 million extra help for exporters and abolished special car tax. In addition, I have restructured my Department so as to provide a more immediate response to the needs of industry. This includes major new initiatives on deregulation and in support of exports.

27. Mr. Byers

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to assist the manufacturing industries in the northern region.

Mr. Sainsbury

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Mr. Pawsey) on 16 November, at columns71–72. The importance of manufacturing industry in the north is recognised by the wide range of the Department of Trade and Industry's services available to the region.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will meet representatives from the Confederation of British Industry's manufacturing council to discuss the key findings of its recent report on manufacturing.

Mr. Sainsbury

The launch of the CBI manufacturing council report was accompanied by a debate on 10 November at its conference. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade took part in that debate, replying on behalf of the Government.