§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the Government's main programmes to promote innovation in the United Kingdom's development areas; what is the current annual level of spend; and how this level has changed in the period 1979 to 1990.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe only scheme to promote innovation projects specifically in the development areas of Great Britain over the last 10 years is the innovation element of the regional enterprise grant scheme which started in April 1988; the expenditure for this scheme in the development areas—DAs—of Great Britain is listed in the table.
A number of other schemes have promoted innovation projects in Great Britain over this period on a national basis.
The product and process development scheme was introduced in 1977. This scheme was renamed support for innovation—SFI—in 1982 and in January 1988 the research and technology initiative was launched. It is not possible to detail expenditure for these schemes in the development areas.
The small firms merit award for research and technology—SMART—was introduced on a pilot basis in 1986. A further competition was held in 1988 and a three-year programme of annual SMART competitions commenced in 1989. SMART is available throughout Great Britain, including the DAs. It is not possible to detail expenditure in those areas in the time available.
Questions concerning Northern Ireland should be referred to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Regional Innovation Grants Expenditure Year £ million 1988–89 0.3 1989–90 2.1