§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for the services and functions carried out by her Department. [1165]
§ Ms HewittI want to ensure that my Department is fully able to play its part in meeting the Enterprise and Productivity Challenge which the Government set last week for this Parliamentary session. I am therefore announcing today a review of the priorities and structure of my Department. I have asked to receive initial recommendations by mid September.
In addition, on 13 June I announced a major review of my Department's support for business. Some £1 billion a year of support is made available to business and I want to ensure that this funding is properly targeted as part of my drive to help UK businesses get to the future first. The review of business support will focus on two strands: industrial support and manufacturing; and then wider business support. I hope to be able to announce first results by late summer.
Both of these reviews will he undertaken in consultation with business and the Department's other stakeholders.