§ 21. Mr. BayleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what new initiatives his Department intends to take to encourage inward investment in towns and cities that are not assisted areas and do not benefit from EU objective 2 status. [2620]
§ Mr. EggarThe Government continue to support inward investment through my Department's Invest in Britain Bureau, the national agencies and regional 279W development organisations. In recent years the number of regional development organisations in England has increased from five to eight with only the south east and eastern regions not currently covered, though IBB generated enquiries are dealt with by the Government offices. The IBB and RDO's work closely with English Partnerships whose role includes the development of vacant or derelict land in towns and cities to bring them back into productive use.