asked the Secretary of State for Industry what assistance is not available to local firms being established or already established in a development area or special development area that is available to incoming firms.

Any local firm in a development area or special development area, provided it belongs to either the manufacturing, mining or construction industries, may qualify for assistance under Parts I and II of the Industry Act 1972. Local firms which are service industries do not qualify for regional development grants under Part I of the Act but may qualify for selective financial assistance under Part II provided the project for which they ask assistance serves a market outside the assisted areas and provides at least 10 additional jobs inside these areas.