§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list each business support scheme that has been(a) launched and (b) terminated in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [153533]
§ Ms HewittAll DTI funded business support schemes are being replaced with a small set of more strategically focussed products. Since January 2003, the DTI has launched the following:
- Small Firms Loan Guarantee
- Grant for Research and Development
- Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
- Advanced Metals Technologies Initiative
- Supply Chain Groups
- Coal Investment Aid and
- Micro and Nanotechnology applied research programme
The following products are to be made available during 2004:
- Collaborative R&D
- Knowledge Transfer Networks
- Access to Business Best Practice
- Support to implement best business practice
- Finance to encourage investment in specific areas of England and
- Enterprise Capital Funds
It is not possible to list all the business support schemes launched in years prior to 2003.
57W
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to reduce the number of business support schemes sponsored by her Department. [153562]
§ Ms HewittAll DTI funded business support schemes are being replaced with a small set of more strategically focussed products. Four of these new products (Small Firms Loan Guarantee, Grant for Research and Development, Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) have been available since spring 2003. Further products will be made available from April this year.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the business support schemes supported by her Department. [153563]
§ Ms HewittI have nothing further to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 5 February 2004,Official Report, column 998W.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many United Kingdom small businesses she estimates have failed as a result of the late payment or non-payment of debt in each of the last five years. [153564]
§ Nigel GriffithsAccurate information regarding the number of business failures specifically attributable to late or non-payment of debt is not available.
§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated cost to United Kingdom small businesses was of the late payment or non-payment of debt in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [153565]
§ Nigel GriffithsAccurate information regarding the cost to small businesses of late payment or non-payment of debt is not available.