HC Deb 15 February 2001 vol 363 cc272-3W
22. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to encourage business collaboration and to develop centres of expertise. [149024]

Ms Hewitt

In the White Paper "Opportunity for All in a World of Change", published earlier this week, the Department demonstrated its continuing commitment to supporting collaborative activity and centres of expertise.

We announced support valued at £30 million over the next three years for five new regionally based university innovation centres, including one at the university of Warwick focusing on business-to-business e-commerce.

We also announced the establishment of a new manufacturing advisory service in partnership with the regional development agencies, consisting of regional centres of manufacturing excellence and a supporting national network, to provide practical advice on manufacturing issues.