§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list in the Official Report the initiatives currently being undertaken by his Department to assist manufacturing industry.
§ Mr. ButcherMy Department offers a wide range of measures to assist manufacturing industry. They are grouped under four headings:
- (i) business and technical advisory services, under which support is given to allow firms to obtain advice on productivity, quality assurance, product design, biotechnology, the application of microelectronics and the use of integrated circuits;
- (ii) innovation, under which selective financial support is given for research and development projects leading to new products and processes;
- (iii) national and regional investment, under which support is given by way of assistance for selected major projects, for implementation studies and demonstration and investment projects relating to new technology, for quality assurance projects, regional assistance and regional development grants;
- (iv) exports, under which firms are given information on overseas markets, help with entry into and the detailed requirements of overseas markets, and grants for major overseas projects.