§ Mr. Hanleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has introduced to assist small and medium-sized firms in the application of new technologies.
§ Mr. TrippierSmall and medium-sized firms are fully eligible to apply for the assistance available under the Department's "Support for Innovation" programme. Additionally, small and medium-size firms benefit from a variety of measures introduced for them, such as the small firms service, and a range of other advisory schemes.
Under the small engineering firms investment schemes, applications received represent potential new investment of some £390 million in advanced capital equipment.
To increase awareness of Government assistance among small business men, the Department is currently supporting a series of seminars for its professional advisers.