§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what measures are being undertaken by his Department to encourage industrial research and development expenditure in the regions of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ForthThe Government have created the right climate to enable industry to invest more in research and development in all parts of the United Kingdom. Within my Department's enterprise initiative, particular attention is given to the needs of the regions. In the assisted areas and urban programme areas, support of up to two thirds of the cost of consultancy projects is available, rather than half elsewhere. We have also introduced a special scheme—regional enterprise grants—to help firms in the development areas, with fewer than 25 employees, to finance their innovation projects and have expanded SMART (small firms merit award for research and technology), reserving 20 awards for the urban programme areas. Applications for this year are currently being assessed.