§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish the criteria which support his policy of seeking an 8 per cent. return on capital investment to improve safety at ports and harbours in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe Government have published their guide to officials and managers in central Government on effective appraisal and evaluation of expenditure proposals. The "Economic Appraisal in Central Government—A Technical Guide for Government Departments" is available through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. The discount rates to be used in appraising public projects are promulgated from time to time by Her Majesty's Treasury.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list for each of the last 10 years for which information is available the capital sums spent by his Department on safety improvements at ports and harbours in Scotland and the rate of return on investment which he required in each case.
1986–87 £'million 1987–88 £'million 1988–89 £'million 1989–90 £'million 1990–91 £'million Industrial Development Board 74.4 74.5 87.8 77.2 68.4 LEDU 18.7 15.2 17.0 21.3 26.3
§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many jobs have been created by the Local Enterprise Development Unit in each of the last five years;
(2) if he will give a breakdown of the number of jobs created in each Westminster constituency by (a) the Local Enterprise Development Unit and (b) the Industrial Development Board in each of the last five years;
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§ Mr. Michael ForsythMost major harbour developments incorporate safety improvements, but it is not possible to quantify separately the investment that is required in each case to achieve those benefits.