§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps are being taken by the Scottish Office to promote the use of clean technology by Scottish industry; what grants are available to assist industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 15 December 1993]: The Scottish Office promotes the use of clean technology by raising awareness and by publicising and directing Scottish companies towards schemes of financial assistance which can assist such projects. Assistance may come from a variety of sources. For example, financial support is available under research and development promotion schemes, such as the small firms merit award for research and technology, support for products under research (SPUR) and the innovation element of the regional enterprise grants scheme, for companies planning to develop new products or processes—including those relating to clean technology.
Scottish companies will be eligible for funding under the new £16 million environmental technology best practice programme, which is to be operated jointly by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of the Environment.