To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what action he is taking to seek to bring to an end the current payments of 50 per cent. grant in Greece on the purchase of new knitwear machinery in that country.

I understand that assistance of this type would be permissible for investments in the Attica and border regions of Greece. Regional assistance is a legitimate form of assistance under article 93(2) of the Treaty of Rome. Under certain circumstances, United Kingdom knitwear companies investing in particular areas of the United Kingdom could be eligible for similar support.