§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the support provided for inventors in Northern Ireland who wish to develop their invention with a view to production in Northern Ireland, and on whether he has any plans to review the effectiveness of such support.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Local Enterprise Development Unit acts as the initial source of advice and assistance to inventors seeking to develop their inventions either on their own or with suitable commercial partners.
Inventors whose projects have technology as a key element will in future, be referred to the new industrial research and technology unit—IRTU—which was formally launched on 3 March 1992. The new organisation will concentrate the Government's research and development functions into a single unit and will provide single door access for individuals and companies to financial support and professional expertise for a wide range of innovatory projects. Advice is also available from the Industrial Science Centre on patents and support is given for initial patent searches.