HC Deb 29 November 1982 vol 33 cc26-7W
Miss Boothroyd

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will publish in the Official Report the criteria to be met by applicants seeking financial assistance within the support for innovation scheme.

Mr. Butcher

The following criteria must be met:

  1. (a) The applicant must:—
    1. (i) be in or closely associated with the manufacturing sector of United Kingdom industry;
    2. (ii) be viable and have the managerial, commercial, financial and technical capability to carry through the project;
    3. (iii) for projects involving the design, development and launch of a new or significantly improved product or process, have the ability and intention to exploit commercially the results of the project;
    4. (iv) for longer term R & D projects, which may benefit an industrial sector or number of sectors, be able to show that the project satisfies an indentified industrial need related to competitiveness, added value, energy saving, improved environment or safety or better or new standards. A clear route to the ultimate market place must also be available and the benefits expected must be consistent with cost, assuming the project achieves its technical objectives;
  2. (b) The Department must be satisfied that assistance is necessary to ensure that the project will go ahead as proposed;
  3. (c) The cost of the project should normally not be more than £5 million or less than £25,000 though consideration may be given to projects outside these limits. Projects costing less than £25,000 from small firms are welcome.

Further information on support for innovation is contained in the guidance notes for applicants and the promotional leaflet copies of which I am placing in the Vote Office.