asked the Secretary of State for Industry what representations he has received over the extension of regional development grants to help ports and port related industries; and what action he proposes to take.

Representations were made earlier this year in respect of inner Merseyside and the port of Liverpool. Regional development grants under part I of the Industry Act 1972 are already available for the regeneration of manufacturing investment in those areas, but premises mainly consisting of port installations are outside the scope of the scheme, and there are no plans to extend it in that direction.