§ Mr. Andrew F. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the aid given by his Department to firms in Tameside and Stockport.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAid to firms in Tameside and Stockport, available from the Department of Trade and Industry under the Enterprise Initiative, is as follows:
The Consultancy Initiative
Encourages small and medium sized firms to develop their key management activities by making use of private sector 3W consultancy. In Stockport (a non-assisted area) and Tameside (an assisted area), the DTI will pay half and two thirds, respectively, of the costs of consultancy;The Regional Initiative
Provides selective assistance for investment projects undertaken by firms located in assisted areas, such as Tameside. The regional initiative does not apply in Stockport or other non-assisted areas;The Export Initiative
Offers a comprehensive range of support and advisory services to help firms and businesses develop their markets overseas;The Research and Technology Initiative
Seeks to support and encourage collaborative research partnerships between business and centres of academic excellence. Additionally, through the annual small firms merit award for research and technology provides financial help to assist with the costs of developing new and novel business ideas.The Enterprise and Education Initiative
Aims to strengthen and develop at the local level the interface between business employers and schools.Additionally, firms in Tameside and Stockport can benefit from a broad range of support and technical services available from the DTI either to complement action taken under the Enterprise Initiative, or separately.