§ 29. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the innovation programme on the east midlands.
§ Mr. Norman LamontThe Department's support for innovation is a national facility and is not targeted specifically on any one area. However, since the start of SFI in May 1982, some 8 per cent. of all applications received were from firms based in the east midlands and 175W to date £30.1 million of assistance has been offered to east midlands firms out of a total of £451.5 million committed nationally.