§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding Her Majesty's Government make available for innovative schemes in the current financial year; what is the total dispersed to date; and if he will list the major projects supported.
§ Mr. ButcherSupport offered by my Department for science and technology and investment in innovation will amount to around £420 million this financial year, of which under half has already been disbursed. The main areas of support are information technology, including the 459W Alvey programme, the development and application of microelectronics, advanced manufacturing technology and aerospace R and D.