asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further steps he is undertaking to assist industry in the Heywood and Middleton constituency.

As a result of the recent review of regional industrial policy the travel-to-work areas covering the constituency now have intermediate area status and industry there is therefore eligible for selective financial assistance under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982. In addition, that part of the constituency which was in the old Bury TTWA (Heywood) is eligible for assistance under the ERDF non-quota funds for closure areas, which were announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State on 26 November last year.