§ Mr. Wardasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he is proposing to do to reduce the number and complexity of his Department's schemes of assistance to industry.
§ Mr. TebbitI have decided to bring together all the DTI's schemes under just four headings. There will be a business and technical advisory service; support for innovation; support for national and regional investment; and BOTB support for exports. This regrouping is a major recasting of the schemes of assistance operated by the DTI. It will harmonise the criteria used to judge applications for assistance; and it will simplify the procedures used in the Department.
To further help firms in their dealings with my Department I plan to set up new central contact points in the DTI headquarters and in each of the DTI's regional offices. I shall announce later the date on which the new arrangements come into effect, but intend that this should be achieved within six months.
In the meantime, the existing schemes continue to operate. So that the funds available can be used to help a greater number of firms, I have decided to increase the contributions made by those who take advantage of the DTI's advisory services and technical consultancy 834W schemes. These revised contribution rates will be applied to all requests for assistance for these schemes received after 31 July.