§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sum of money has been allocated for the manufacturing, planning and implementation studies programme for 1991–92; what proportion thereof had been allocated as at 31 December 1991; how many (i) successful, (ii) unsuccessful and (iii) pending applications there have been for assistance under the programme; what arrangements his Department has made to monitor the administration of the programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 20 January 1992]Funding of the manufacturing planning and implementation studies—MPI—Programme is £10,500,000, which has been allocated on the basis of the three year life of the programme, rather than by individual years. As of 31 December 1991, four applicants had accepted offers of grants totalling £200,000. Eighty-two applications have been received, 36 have been rejected and 46 are being progressed.
The MPI programme is continuously monitored by the Department through regular meetings with the scheme contractor, and the sampling of project applications. In addition, an independent review panel reports to the Department on matters surrounding the operation of the programme.