§ Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many applications for business improvement scheme moneys are awaiting approval for projects in west Yorkshire; and what is the total value of these outstanding applications;
(2) how many applications for business improvement scheme moneys have been approved for projects in west Yorkshire; and what is the total value of these approved applications;
(3) if EEC moneys unused in a scheme under one European regional development fund heading are redirected to a scheme under another European regional development fund heading where the budget has been exhausted;
(4) how long on average it takes between approval of an application for business improvement scheme moneys for projects in west Yorkshire and payment of the grant.
§ Mr. ChannonThe business improvement services package of 11 schemes of aid for small businesses (BIS) is mainly operated under three separate United Kingdom programmes agreed with the EC Commission and jointly financed with them under specific European regional development fund regulations. BIS in west Yorkshire is operated under one of these programmes, which covers areas affected by the decline in the textile and clothing industry. This programme provides for a maximum overall amount of expenditure, and for the allocation of this between infrastructure and industrial measures, and between the geographical areas in the United Kingdom covered by the relevant regulation. It is open to the United Kingdom Government to seek Commission agreement to transfer funds within the programme.
8WIn west Yorkshire 1,257 applications for BIS have been approved at a total value of £11.8 million, and 38 further applications are awaiting approval at a total value of £0.9 million. When these have been approved the money allocated to BIS in west yorkshire will have been fully committed. The average time taken between initial approval in principle of a grant and payment against a claim from the applicant varies between up to six months and up to two years, depending upon the scheme in question. Applicants cannot claim payment until the approved work has been carried out.