asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether he is satisfied that industrial promotion expenditure by Warrington and Central Lancashire new towns aimed at firms in the North-West region will not attract industry from inner city, development or special development areas in the region;(2) how much has been spent by new town development corporations in the North-West region in each of the last five years on industrial promotion; and, of this, how much has been targeted specifically or largely at firms already in the North-West of England by means of press and broadcasting in the region.

Total expenditure on publicity by the four North-West new town corporations over the last five years was as follows:

	£ Million
	outturn prices
1977–78	0·4
1978–79	0·5
1979–80	0·7
1980–81	1·1
1981–82*	1·9
* Estimated

A detailed breakdown is not available, but a substantial proportion of this expenditure was for industrial and commercial promotion. The Government are satisfied that these promotional activities do not conflict with their regional or inner city policies.