§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money his Department has given this year to INWARD and how much in each of the last 10 years; and which local authorities within the INWARD group have not supported INWARD;
(2) If he will make a statement on INWARD's achievements over the last 10 years.
§ Mr. RedwoodSince INWARD was established in 1985 my Department has provided grant in aid for its overseas inward investment activities, details of which are set out in the table.
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DTI grants to INWARD since 1985 DTI grant aid £000 Total funding £000 Grant Percentage 1985–86 187 407 46 1986–87 263 488 54 1987–88 380 620 61 1988–89 450 718 63
DTI grant aid £000 Total funding £000 Grant Percentage 1989–90 541 918 59 1990–91 840 1,243 67 1991–92 990 1,566 63 In 1991–92, my Department will provide £990,000 grant in aid, representing an 83 per cent. increase over the last two years. This reflects the Government's continued commitment towards INWARD and acknowledges its valuable contribution to the overall success of the United Kingdom in attracting inward investment. According to information notified to my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau since INWARD's formation in 1985, 225 decisions have been made by foreign companies to invest in the region. At the time these decisions were announced they were expected to create or safeguard 36,000 jobs. INWARD's activities on behalf of the region have contributed to this recent level of success.
As to local authority support, I understand that 29 out of the 47 local authorities within INWARD's region are currently paid up members of INWARD. Those currently not in membership are Manchester, Salford, Bury, Thameside, Wigan, Stockport, Congleton, St. Helens, Sefton, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Fylde, Preston, Pendle, Allerdale, Barrow-in-Furness, Carlisle, Copeland and South Lakeland.