Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Grants – 26 January 1989

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Grants on 26th January 1989.

Mr. Gill To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total cost to the Exchequer of all grants in aid to trade, industry and commerce in the financial year 1987–88.

Mr. Major The table below shows the 1987–88 estimated outturn for grants and subsidies included under the trade and industry part of the trade, industry, energy and employment section of table 2.7 (Functional analysis of United Kingdom public expenditure) of volume I of “The Government’s Expenditure Plans 1988–89 to 1990–91” (Cm 288). The figures cover grants and subsidies to both public corporations and the private sector. Revised out-turn data for public expenditure in 1987–88 will be given in the 1989 public expenditure White Paper which is due to be published in the next few days. I shall write to my hon. Friend to update the figures given below shortly.

Expenditure (1) on certain grants and subsidies to trade, industry and commerce (2)

Grants Subsidies Total £ million
Regional and general industrial support 455.0 242.2 697.1
Scientific and technological assistance 3.2 0.4 3.6
Support for aerospace, shipbuilding, coal, steel and vehicle manufacture 316.2 46.9 363.1
Trade 9.0 151.2 160.2
783.3 440.7 1,223.9

(1) Estimated outturn figures.
(2) Covers the trade and industry part of the trade, industry, energy and employment section of Table 2.7 of Volume I of Cm 288.