§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what leaflets are published by his Department which list the forms of(a) financial and (b) advisory assistance available from public or private sector sources to businesses in Britain. [16900]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorThe DTI brochure "Services for Business" sets out the range of services available from the DTI; supported by secondary publications providing more detailed information on the individual services.
Increasingly, DTI services are being delivered by Business Links. These private sector-led partnerships are bringing together the full range of business support services in their areas—providing "one stop" access.
Business Links are putting together lists of the financial and advisory assistance available from public and private sector sources in their areas. The information is not held centrally and the DTI does not have a comprehensive list of all the business support services available.
§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what forms of financial assistance outside areas receiving regional development assistance are available for assisting established companies(a) to expand premises or production and (b) to pilot new brands of machinery; and how many applications for such assistance are processed. [16870]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorOutside the areas qualifying for regional aid there is no financial assistance from the DTI 773W specifically to help businesses to expand premises or production or to pilot new brands of machinery. However, the SMART—small firms merit award for research and technology—and SPUR—support for products under research—schemes help small businesses research and develop new products and processes involving innovative technology. In the past year, there were 1,494 entries for the SMART competition, resulting in 180 offers of support, and there have been 168 applications for SPUR which, to date, have led to 73 offers of support.