asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether the establishment of the National Enterprise Board's regional boards for the North-East and the North-West will result in any increase in the total sums of public money available to the National Enterprise Board under its existing budget for investment in the United Kingdom.

No, but we will of course continue to keep the NEB's needs under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether any additional funds will be made available to the new Northern Regional Board of the National Enterprise Board, when it has been established.

The National Enterprise Board does not propose to set limits to the amount of its funds available for the new regional boards.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he is satisfied with the rate of return on the capital employed by the National Enterprise Board before taxation of 4·1 per cent.

As the Board's interim accounts make clear, the results for the half-year reflect the depressed level of profitability of British Leyland, caused mainly by industrial relations difficulties, and the continuing effects on Rolls-Royce of the world aircraft industry recession.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a breakdown of the loss of £300,000 incurred by the National Enterprise Board on its investment in associated companies, other than ICL, referred to on page 4 of the National Enterprise Board Interim Statement 1st January 1977–30th June 1977.

No; this is a matter for the NEB.