HC Deb 11 February 1997 vol 290 cc166-7W
Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what incentives for attracting inward investment towards the consistency of Belfast, West his Department has (a) considered and (b) approved (i) since 10 April 1992 and (ii) between 10 June 1983 and 10 April 1992. [14360]

Mr. Ancram

Between 10 April 1992 and 31 December 1996 the Industrial Development Board constructed four factories and acquired or was in the process of acquiring 36.5 acres of land at a total cost of £6.4 million in the Belfast, West constituency. During this period IDB offered financial assistance totalling some £54 million towards total investment of almost £150 million for 15 inward investment projects promising 1,642 new jobs and safeguarding 1,368 more.

Between January 1983 and April 1992 three factories were built and 11.5 acres acquired in the constituency at a total cost of £2.6 million. Between 1986–87—the earliest year for which equivalent figures are available—and April 1992 IDB offered support totalling £29 million against investment of almost £104 million by 13 inward investment projects, promoting 202 new jobs and safeguarding 1,826 more.

Dr. Hendron

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits by overseas investors and trade delegations his Department records as having taken place in the Belfast, West constituency(a) since 10 April 1992 and (b) between 10 June 1993 and 10 April 1992. [14362]

Mr. Ancram

The number of visits by overseas investors—interpreted to mean potential investors—is not available for the period 10 June 1983 to 31 March 1993 and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Between 1 April 1993 and 31 December 1996 the Industrial Development Board recorded 127 visits by potential investors to the Belfast, West constituency.

Since 10 April 1992 there have been five trade delegation visits to the Belfast, West constituency. Between 10 June 1983 and 10 April 1992 there was one such visit.