§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assistance he has given to small businesses in each year since 1989.
§ Mr. LeighThe support programmes for small businesses operated by my Department together with their annual cost in each year since 1989 are as follows:
Expenditure £ million Programme 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 Enterprise initiative consultancy scheme 35.6 40.2 52.10 Small firms loan guarantee scheme 99.4 85.0 69.85 Small firms merit award for research and technology 8.8 10.7 12.70 Support for projects under research — — 12.40 Regional enterprise grants (investment) 8.5 8.5 6.40 Regional enterprise grants (innovation) 3.1 2.5 2.20 Export marketing research scheme 3.0 3.8 1.10 Your business success — 0.5 1.00 Graduate enterprise — 0.4 0.30 My Department also provides funding for development work which aims to benefit small firms and produces a wide range of publications aimed at small businesses.
From April 1993 my Department will take over responsibility from the Employment Department for funding training and enterprise councils (TECs), which provide a wide range of business support services to help small businesses.