§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what details he has of investment in research and development and innovation by industry in the west midlands region based in north Staffordshire.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe details requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set targets for Government investment in research and development for industry in the west midlands region based in Stoke on Trent.
§ Mr. SainsburyIt would not be appropriate for the Government to set such targets: it is industry's responsibility to innovate. Moreover, since DTI schemes usually involve matching funding, targets would require assumptions to be made about the proportionate contribution local industry would be willing to provide.