§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his Department gives to those businesses in areas which have ceased to be eligible for regional assistance since 1 January. [106515]
§ Mr. CabornFinancial assistance to industry outside England is a matter for the devolved administrations. In England, we have given advice that while discussions continue with the Commission over the new Assisted Areas map, Government Offices will, as a temporary measure, continue to receive applications for RSA from businesses located in the Assisted Areas proposed in July 1999. Government Offices will undertake a full appraisal of such cases but any offers of financial assistance will be conditional on confirmation from the Commission that the location is within the approved map and that the project complies with the appropriate aid ceilings for that area. Similar arrangements are in place in Wales and Scotland. Any area which is outside the Assisted Areas when the map is approved will not be eligible for RSA under Community law. However, in the English regions we have introduced new tier 3 areas which include areas of need outside the Assisted Areas proposed to the Commission. In tier 3, qualifying SMEs may apply for financial assistance from a new discretionary Enterprise Grant scheme.