Mr Major’s Written Question on Special and Training Grants – 27 November 1980

Below is the text of Mr Major’s Parliamentary written question on Special and Training Grants, published on 27th November 1980.

Mr. Major Asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he proposes to simplify the documentation leading to special grants and for training grants; and whether he will issue guidance to enable the level of grant to be predetermined by applicants.

Mr. David Mitchell Regional assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 is provided on a selective basis towards projects which satisfy published criteria. The information and documentation sought from companies is the minimum consistent with the need to assess the projects’ eligibility for assistance. The amount of assistance provided towards the capital costs of the project is negotiated in each case as the minimum necessary for the project to go ahead and cannot, therefore, be determined in advance. Section 7 training grants cover a fixed 40 per cent. of eligible training costs and attract a matching contribution from the European social fund.