HC Deb 13 February 2004 vol 418 c73W
Mr. Stephen O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact that University Challenge Seed Funds have had on(a) the overall productivity of UK businesses and (b) reducing disparities in regional productivity. [153574]

Ms Hewitt

Since their establishment the Challenge funds have invested £47.3 million in projects which will improve UK productivity by making our excellent science and engineering base more easily accessible to business.