§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses the RDA helped to set up in(a) Somerset and (b) the South West region in 1999–2000. [36455]
§ Alan JohnsonThe RDA has no direct delivery role in relation to business start-ups. It does, however, have a strategic role in creating an environment where businesses can start, survive and grow in the region. The Agency works with regional public and private sector partners, including the Small Business Service and Business Links, developing collaborative networks to integrate the work of all those agencies that provide support to business in the region.