§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy in future to consult industry about the implications for existing companies prior to reaching conclusions about the award of investment aid to encourage overseas companies to open facilities in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt is not possible to consult directly with industry for reasons of commercial confidentiality in dealings with applicants. However, to be eligible for investment grants, projects must show they will bring a national economic benefit. Part of that test requires an assessment of the impact of the new investment on existing businesses.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to inform the House whenever his Department commissions consultations to consider the implications for existing companies of applications for inward investment aid; if he will ensure that the reports of such consultants are available to right hon. and hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyFor reasons of commercial confiden-tiality it is not possible to provide this information.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department relayed to the Northern Ireland Office the estimate of job losses provided by Sir David Alliance CBE to him at a meeting of the Manufacturing and Construction Industries Alliance on Monday 13 June and associated with the award of investment aid to the Hualon Corporation in connection with the development of new textile facilities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Northern Ireland Office has this information.