HC Deb 19 May 1993 vol 225 cc226-7W
Mr. Colvin

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what has been the total sum paid to businesses under the DTI's environmental management options scheme since its introduction; and what plans he has for its continuance.

Mr. Eggar

Since the introduction of DEMOS in October 1990, a total of £2,677,125 has been committed to businesses for projects approved under the scheme.

The scheme was designed to run for three years and is due to end formally on 30 September 1993. The Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Environment are currently considering what future support might be appropriate to encourage innovation in environmental technology. However, at present it is too early to say what the outcome of these discussions will be.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how many businesses have succeeded in their applications for funding under DEMOS 491; and how many have been refused grant.

Mr. Eggar

The DTI's environmental management options scheme (DEMOS) has attracted 602 initial first stage applications, of which 180 have been rejected, 184 withdrew their applications, eight transferred to other schemes and 28 were asked to provide further information, but did not reply.

Two hundred and two projects have been invited to submit more detailed second stage proposals under DEMOS. Of the 66 that have submitted these proposals, 16 projects have been funded, with grants being committed to 31 businesses. In addition, some of these projects will involve the collaboration of organisations that will not receive DEMOS funding, such as local authorities. Forty-three of the projects which submitted second stage proposals were rejected.

The remainder of those invited to the second stage have either withdrawn or transferred to other schemes.

Mr. Colvin

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the names of businesses funded under DEMOS 491 showing the amount of grant paid.

Mr. Eggar

Two hundred and two projects have been invited to submit a more detailed second stage proposal under DEMOS. Of those that have submitted these proposals, 13 projects have been funded, with grants being committed to the following business:

Companies awarded DEMOS gram Grant £
British Textile Technology Group 40,000
Zinc Development Association 7,250
Textile Finishers Association 10,686
PW Greenhaulgh and Co. Ltd. 33,578
Tack Lea Works Ltd. 33,578
CV Woven Fabrics Ltd. 33,578
CV Home Furnishings Ltd. 33,578
Expitaxial Products International Ltd. 42,476
Edwards High Vacuum International Ltd. 79,389
Repak Ltd. 258,281
Yorkshire Electricity 8,100
Fosse Ltd. 264,000
T and D Ltd. 15,000
Bridgewater Paper Company Ltd. 2,500
Metal Finishers Association 5,000
Tame Valley Alloys Ltd. 309,256
Air Products plc 28,570
Environmental Air Filtration Ltd. 16,835
Drinkwater Sabey Ltd. 283,000
WS Atkins Consultants Ltd. 245,300
Motherwell Bridge Envirotec Ltd. 141,786
Environmental Energy Ltd. 15,730
South West Water plc 409,000
TOTAL 2,325,471

There are an additional three projects consisting of eight businesses which have also been offered grants amounting to £351,654. However, as the applicants have not yet formally accepted the offers, information on these companies is currently commercially confidential.