§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and industry what assistance he makes available for the formation of enterprise agencies; and if he will make a statement on progress to date.
§ Mr. TrippierThe main support for the formation of local enterprise agencies (LEAs) must rest with the private sector in partnership with local interests. The Government do, however, foster the development and growth of enterprise agencies in a number of ways, the principle one of which is tax relief on contributions by businesses to LEAs approved by my Department. To date there are 190 approved agencies out of a total of approximately 240.
Further Government assistance to LEAs is provided through pump-priming support by my Department, the Department of the Environment—in some urban areas—and the development Commission in England and the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies in Scotland and Wales, respectively. Total Government support in England to date is in excess of £2.2 million.
The foregoing assistance is also supplemented by the provision, to date, of some £119,000 to Business in the Community to support its work in promoting the LEA movement; and through the encouragement of enterprise agencies to make full use of the information and counselling facilities provided by my Department's small firms service.