§ Mr. Ellisasked the President of the Board of Trade when he will make a statement of his findings with regard to the Pilot Consultancy Grants Scheme in the Bristol area; and if he will make an interim statement.
§ Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the Board of Trade Consultancy Grants scheme, indicating how much has been spent on grants so far and with what result; and to what extent consideration is being given to its continuance on a wider basis.
§ Mr. DellThe closing date for applications will be 28th February. Up to 14th February, 238 assignments (83 in Bristol and 155 in Glasgow) had been approved involved £366,000 in grants 121W (£110,000 in Bristol and £256,000 in Glasgow). Other applications are currently under consideration. Grant is paid only when the assignment has been completed and a report by the consultant has been received. Only 15 payments, amounting to £9,400 have been made so far.
We are now examining the results of the pilot scheme and the possibility of a national scheme, but it will be some time before a decision is reached.