§ 23. Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Government are taking to see that smaller firms get a share of the Government's research and development expenditure.
§ 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.