Regional Aid

20.

Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones
asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was his Department's total budget for regional aid to industry in each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales in the last year for which full figures are available.

Mr. Atkins
The figures for my Department's spend on regional aid to industry in each of the English regions, Scotland and Wales in 1986–87 will be issued in the Official Report.

Mr. Jones
Is the Minister's Department now conducting a review of regional aid, and if so, what are the terms of reference? In view of the importance of regional aid to Wales, which aid has been slashed since 1979, during  the review will the hon. Gentleman consult the Secretary of State for Wales, who is known to be a keen supporter of regional aid?

Mr. Atkins
When any new team of Ministers comes into office, it is right and proper that they should ask questions and receive answers. That is exactly what we are doing at the moment. We hope to have the answers to the questions that we posed in the not too distant future. In the meantime, of course, we always consult our right hon. Friends, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales is no exception.

Following are the figures:
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|North-East|
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|North-West|
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|Yorkshire and Humberside|
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|East Midlands           |
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|West Midlands           |
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|South-West              |
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|Scotland                |
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|Wales                   |
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|GB Total                |
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