HC Deb 27 July 1999 vol 336 cc309-10W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his policy is regarding regional selective assistance in the areas of highest unemployment in the North-West. [92861]

Mr. Wills

Regional selective assistance is available for eligible projects in both the development and intermediate areas of the North-West region. Support for projects will in future reflect the priorities in RDA regional economic strategies.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the North West Industrial Development Advisory Committee in January 1992 and the dates of their appointment. [92860]

Mr. Wills

The members of the North West Development Board in January 1992 and the dates of their appointment are as follows:

Members Date of appointment
Mr. J. Dwek 1 January 1983
Mr. J. B. Ashworth 23 January 1988
Mr. A. Manning 15 September 1987
Mr. D. Weir 1 January 1988
Mr. I. W. Wooley 1 January 1988

Members Date of appointment
Mr. E. Baxendale 16 March 1988
Mr. B. Lawson 1 January 1989
Mr. E. J. Billington 1 January 1990
Mr. D. L. Davies 1 January 1990
Mr. G. N. Elliott 1 January 1990
Mr. E. P. Foden 1 January 1992
Mr. I. C. Sellars 1 January 1992

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the North West Regional Industrial Development Board. [92859]

Mr. Wills

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave previously on 14 July 1999,Official Report, columns 211-12.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in relation to the management by civil servants and the treatment by regional development advisory committees of applications for regional selective assistance. [92807]

Mr. Wills

I have no plans to review the workings of the Industrial Development Act 1982 in this respect.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 14 July 1999,Official Report, columns 212-13, what the circumstances were on the occasion when a decision taken by the North West Industrial Development Board was amended by the Secretary of State under the Industrial Development Act 1982. [92862]

Mr. Wills

In the case in question, the Board gave their support to a recommendation from officials regarding the amount of grant that should be offered. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State subsequently decided a higher offer was necessary to secure the project.