asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many foreign companies, other than from Europe and North America, have factories in Northern Ireland; and how many people are employed in them;(2) how many companies based on the mainland of Europe have factories in Northern Ireland; and how many people are employed in them;(3) how many North American companies—USA and Canada—have factories in Northern Ireland; and how many people are employed in them;(4) how many companies with their headquarters in Great Britain have factories in Northern Ireland; and how many people are employed in them.
Full information is not available, but the Department of Commerce has provided assistance to companies to establish and expand factories as follows:
| Number of companies assisted | Number of employees | |
| 1. Foreign companies (other than from Europe and North America). | 1 | 1,200 |
| 2. Companies based on the mainland of Europe. | 19 | 10,500 |
| 3. North American companies. | 32 | 19,500 |
| 4. Companies with head-quarters in Great Britain. | 111 | 42,000 |