asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many companies have submitted requests for assistance under the selective financial assistance scheme since its launching in December 1976; how many have been approved and how many rejected; and what is the total level of grants so far authorised under the scheme.

Several hundred approaches under the Selective Investment Scheme have been received. Of these, 38 have been appraised and approved, 88 are under consideration, and 85 have been rejected or withdrawn after initial examination. Assistance approved to date is £11,346,000 for investment projects costing £120,650,000.