Design Advisory Service

HC Deb 06 December 1982 vol 33 cc343-4W

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Industry why the design advisory service is not available to companies with fewer than 60 employees.

Mr. MacGregor

Assistance under the design advisory service funded consultancy scheme, which started in July 1982, is at present limited to firms with 60 or more employees in order to avoid overloading the capacity of the scheme in its early days and thus to avoid delays in dealing with applications.

The scheme is due for review in early 1983 and the question of changing the lower eligibility limit will be considered at that time.