§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what encouragement is provided for the setting up of enterprise agencies.
§ Mr. TrippierThe principal encouragement is tax relief on contributions by companies or unincorporated businesses to local enterprise agencies whose objective is to promote and encourage industrial and commercial activity or enterprise. To qualify for this tax relief the agency has to be approved by my Department.
My Department will also be providing a grant of £75,000 to the Business in the Community organisation to support its work of establishing and sponsoring local enterprise agencies. Further assistance to agencies at the formative stage and subsequently is provided through the small firms service, the regional organisations of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment.