§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits sponsored by the Industrial Development Board of prospective(a) incoming and (b) United Kingdom investors there were to each council area in 1998–99; and what is his (i) latest estimate of the corresponding figures for 1999–2000 and (ii) estimate of the total number of visits to Northern Ireland by potential inward investors for 1999–2000, broken down by (1) first time and (2) repeat visits. [118520]
§ Mr. IngramThe table provides details of visits by potential investors to Northern Ireland District Council areas arranged by the Industrial Development Board in 1998–99.
The details for 1999–2000 will be made available with the publication of the IDB Annual Report which is expected in the autumn.
Details of first and repeat visits to Northern Ireland in 1999–2000 will be made available with the publication of the IDB End of Year Statement which is due in mid-May.
IDB promoted inward investment visits 1998–99 Potential investor company visits Council area Overseas Companies UK Companies Antrim 37 7 Ards 3 1 Armagh 2 0 Ballymena 3 1 Ballymoney 1 1 Banbridge 1 0 Belfast 52 26 Carrickfergus 7 4 Castlereagh 4 3 Coleraine 3 0 Cookstown 3 0 Craigavon 11 0 Derry 25 4 Down 5 0 Dungannon 1 0 Fermanagh 2 0 Larne 7 3 Limavady 2 0 Lisburn 30 5 Magherafelt 1 0 Moyle 0 0 Newry and Mourne 7 0 Newtownabbey 11 7 North Down 6 1 Omagh 5 0 Strabane 6 1 Total 235 64 Notes:
- 1. Visit elements for other than inward investment purposes, such as visits to tourist attractions, are excluded.
- 2. General visits to Northern Ireland not including a specific council area are excluded.
- 3. Total District Council visits may exceed total visits to Northern Ireland as a company visit may cover more than one District Council area.