§ Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regional development agencies have(a) an office and (b) representatives outside the UK. [183537]
§ Jacqui SmithThe answer to the question updates answers previously given to the hon. Member for Essex north on 26 January 2004,Official Report, columns 73–76W and 5 February 2004, Official Report, columns 999–1000W.
I have been advised of the following answers by England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Advantage West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands has offices in France, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.
In north America, Advantage West Midlands shares representation with their partner agency, EMDA, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full-time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in north America. The British Midlands is also represented on a full-time basis in Japan with two staff. In south east Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part-time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six part-time agents.
The cost incurred by AWM in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Australia 63,259 Belgium 107,625 Canada 29,863 France 71,082 Germany 102,784 India 49,817 Japan 101,780 Singapore 44,386 Sweden 85,198 USA 468,574 Total 1,124,367 East of England Development Agency
The East of England Developments Agency (BED A) has an inward investment office in San Jose (Silicon Valley) a joint project between EEDA and Invest East of England. There are no representatives as the office is co-ordinated by the vice-president for business development at Invest East of England.
EEDA also subscribes to the East of England partnership office in Brussels and the Essex and East of England International Trade office in Jiangsu Province China (but does not have offices or representatives).
1040WThe cost incurred by EEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Belgium 56,500 China 63,000 USA 250,000 Total 369,500 East Midlands Development Agency
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is represented in Europe by part-time agents in Germany (Munich-two staff) and Scandinavia (Malmo-one person);
EMDA also employs a telemarketing agency in France.
In north America, EMDA shares representation with their partner agency, Advantage West Midlands, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full-time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in north America. The British Midlands is also represented on a full-time basis in Japan with two staff. In south east Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part-time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six agents.
EMDA is also a partner in the East Midlands European Office (EMEO), based in Brussels. The partnership also includes the region's strategic local authorities, the Regional Assembly and the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association. In addition, EMDA line manages EMEO on behalf of the regional partnership.
The cost incurred by EMDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Australia 60,000 Belgium 50,000 France 20,000 Germany 70,000 India 50,000 Japan 90,000 North America 402,000 Scandinavia 60,000 Singapore 75,000 Total 877,000 London Development Agency
The London Development Agency is a partner in the London European Office, a staffed Greater London Authority partnership office in Brussels. The cost incurred in maintaining this office in 2003–04 was £50,000.
North West Development Agency
The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has an office with two members of staff (one full-time and one part-time) in Japan (in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward).
1041WAs part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with One NorthEast and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices in Australia (Sydney) and north America: Chicago (five people), Boston (two people), Atlanta (one person) and Los Angeles: (one person full-time and one person part-time).
The NWDA with the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) jointly fund an office and one member of staff in Brussels.
The cost incurred by NWDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Australia 55,000 Belgium 103,000 Japan 135,000 USA 392,000 Total 685,000 One NorthEast
One NorthEast has offices in China (Shanghai), Japan (Tokyo) and Korea (Seoul). Until the end of 2003–04 it also operated an office in Taiwan.
As part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and north America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles).
The cost incurred by ONE in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Australia 50,000 China 66,525 Japan 185,086 Korea 73,208 North America 396,000 Taiwan 51,855 Total 822,673 South East England Development Agency
The South East of England Development Agency (SEED A) shares an officer post with the Regional Assembly operating from South East England House in Brussels, co-located and working with other partners from around the Region. SEEDA is also represented in Washington DC by Odell Simms and Associates and has a representative in each of the following cities: Berlin, San Diego, Boston, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Sydney, the latter post being part-time.
The cost incurred by SEEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
1042W
£ Australia 56,006 Belgium 131,658 China 26,331 Germany 101,683 Japan 127,655 Korea 33,699 USA 558,735 Total 1,035,766 South West of England Regional Development Agency
The South West of England Regional Development Agency The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) has an office in Japan. There are two representatives in north America—one in Boston and one in Sonoma, California.
It also has just opened an office in Guangdong province in southern China and taken on a new representative in Melbourne, Australia. No costs were incurred for these in 2003–04.
The cost incurred by SWRDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Japan 394,364 USA 468,514 Total 862,878 Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward has an office and representatives in China and in Japan (the latter joint with the North West Development Agency).
As part of a north of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and OneNorth East) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and north America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles). Yorkshire Forward also provide a contribution of £60,000 towards the running costs of the Yorkshire and Humber European Office, managed by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.
The cost incurred by Yorkshire Forward in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ Australia 58,000 Belgium 60,000 China 28,000 Japan 201,000 USA 412,000 Total 759,000
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what offices outside the United Kingdom are maintained by regional development agencies; and what the cost of maintaining each one was in the last financial year for which figures are available. [184984]
§ Jacqui SmithThe answer to the question updates answers previously given to the hon Member for Essex North on 26 January 2004,Official Report, columns 73–76W and 5 February 2004, Official Report, columns 999–1000W.
I have been advised of the following answers by England's Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Advantage West Midlands
Advantage West Midlands has offices in France, Germany, Sweden and Belgium.
In North America, Advantage West Midlands shares representation with their partner agency, EMDA, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full time staff based in 1043W Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in North America. The British Midlands is also represented on a fulltime basis in Japan with two staff. In South East Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six part-time agents.
The cost incurred by AWM in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£ million Australia 63,259 Belgium 107,625 Canada 29,863 France 71,082 Germany 102,784 India 49,817 Japan 101,780 Singapore 44,386 Sweden 85,198 USA 468,574 Total 1,124,367 East of England Development Agency
The East of England Developments Agency (BED A) has an inward investment office in San Jose (Silicon Valley) a joint project between EEDA and Invest East of England. There are no representatives as the office is co-ordinated by the vice-president for business development at Invest East of England.
EEDA also subscribes to the East of England partnership office in Brussels and the Essex and East of England International Trade office in Jiangsu Province China (but does not have offices or representatives).
The cost incurred by EEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Belgium 56,500 China 63,000 USA 250,000 Total 369,500 East Midlands Development Agency
The East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) is represented in Europe by part time agents in Germany (Munich—two staff) and Scandinavia (Malmo—one person); EMDA also employs a telemarketing agency in France.
In North America, EMDA shares representation with their partner agency, Advantage West Midlands, under the British Midlands' brand. Together they have a total of five offices and seven full time staff based in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Jose and Toronto; they also employ the services of a telemarketing agency in North America. The British Midlands is also represented on a fulltime basis in Japan with two staff. In South East Asia, India and Australia, the British Midlands has part time representation with offices in Singapore, Mumbai and Sydney and a total of six agents.
1044WEMDA is also a partner in the East Midlands European Office (EMEO), based in Brussels. The partnership also includes the region's strategic local authorities, the Regional Assembly and the East Midlands Regional Local Government Association.
In addition, EMDA line manages EMEO on behalf of the regional partnership.
The cost incurred by EMDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Australia 60,000 Belgium 50,000 France 20,000 Germany 70,000 India 50,000 Japan 90,000 North America 402,000 Scandinavia 60,000 Singapore 75,000 Total 877,000 London Development Agency
The London Development Agency is a partner in the London European Office, a staffed Greater London Authority partnership office in Brussels. The cost incurred in maintaining this office in 2003–04 was £50,000.
North West Development Agency
The North West Development Agency (NWDA) has an office with two members of staff (one full time and one part time) in Japan (in conjunction with Yorkshire Forward).
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with One North East and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices in Australia (Sydney) and North America: Chicago (five people), Boston (two people), Atlanta (one person) and Los Angeles: (one person full time and one person part time).
The NWDA with the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) jointly fund an office and one member of staff in Brussels.
The cost incurred by NWDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Australia 55,000 Belgium 103,000 Japan 135,000 USA 392,000 Total 685,000 One NorthEast
One NorthEast has offices in China (Shanghai), Japan (Tokyo) and Korea (Seoul). Until the end of 2003–04 it also operated an office in Taiwan.
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and Yorkshire Forward) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and North America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles).
1045WThe cost incurred by ONE in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Australia 50,000 China 66,525 Japan 185,086 Korea 73,208 North America 396,000 Taiwan 51,855 Total 822,673 South East England Development Agency
The South East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) shares an officer post with the Regional Assembly operating from South East England House in Brussels, co-located and working with other partners from around the Region. SEEDA is also represented in Washington DC by Odell Simms and Associates and has a representative in each of the following cities: Berlin, San Diego, Boston, Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka and Sydney, the latter post being part-time.
The cost incurred by SEEDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£million Australia 56,006 Belgium 131,658 China 26,331 Germany 101,683 Japan 127,655 Korea 33,699 USA 558,735 Total 1,035,766 South West of England Regional development Agency
The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) has an office in Japan. There are two representatives in North. America—one in Boston and one in Sonoma, California.
It also has just opened an office in Guangdong province in Southern China and taken on a new representative in Melbourne, Australia. No costs were incurred for these in 2003–04.
The cost incurred by SWRDA in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Japan 394,364 USA 468,514 Total 862,878 Yorkshire Forward
Yorkshire Forward has an office and representatives in China and in Japan (the latter joint with the North West Development Agency).
As part of a North of England collaboration (a joint venture with North West Development Agency and One North East) there are offices and representatives in Australia (Sydney) and North America (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and Los Angeles). Yorkshire Forward also provide a contribution of £60,000 towards the 1046W running costs of the Yorkshire and Humber European Office, managed by the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly.
The cost incurred by Yorkshire Forward in maintaining these offices in 2003–04 was:
£000 Australia 58,000 Belgium 60,000 China 28,000 Japan 201,000 USA 412,000 Total 759,000
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether regional development agencies are required to meet performance indicators for central Government. [185772]
§ Jacqui SmithI refer the Member to my answer given on 22 July,Official Report, columns 514–515W.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funding from her Department in 2004–05 is devoted by regional development agencies specifically towards promoting the development of minority ethnic businesses. [186350]
§ Jacqui SmithThrough the framework provided by their Regional Economic Strategies (RES). RDAs work with a range of local partners, to contribute to the development of ethnic minority businesses. Examples of this are in the document "RDA Activities supporting Ethnic Minority Businesses" which provides a list of RDA supported activities that stimulate ethnic business growth. I have placed this document in the House of Commons Library. Unfortunately, information about costs cannot be easily disaggregated and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The East Midlands Development Agency (emda) have a lead role to co-ordinate policy on ethnic minority businesses on behalf of all the RDAs. They have jointly established with De Montfort University the Centre for Research into Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship (www.crème-dmu.org.uk). As part of their work emda are also organising the eighth Ethnic Business Conference in Leicester in September 2004.