§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to encourage inward investment into the Greater London area. [127139]
§ Mr. CabornThe DTI's Invest in Britain Bureau (IBB) provides grant in aid funding to the London First Centre (LFC) to promote London overseas as a location for inward investment. LFC received grant in aid of £1.015 million in 1999–2000, increased to £1,065 million in 2000–01.
LFC efforts are focused world-wide but investment is particularly encouraged, geographically from North America, and sectorally on functions such as European Headquarters, pan-European call centres and high value-added manufacturing. LFC is keen to emphasise