To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the number of companies which have advanced investment plans to claim regional development grant before the 31 March deadline; and if he will make a statement.

It is not known how many firms have advanced their investment plans in order to be eligible for assistance under the revised regional development grant scheme following the announcement of its closure. I can, however, say that my Department received about 6,700 applications for project approval after the date of announcement of termination of the scheme and by the 31 March deadline, compared with about 700 per month on average in the year to 31 December 1987.