§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives have been taken by the Government since 1990 to encourage the arms and defence industries in the north west region to diversify into other areas.
§ Mr. SainsburyDiversification is essentially a matter for the commercial judgment of the companies concerned. My Department helps them with its wide range of programmes, including those in the enterprise initiative and "Managing into the 90s". A special seminar was held in Blackburn on 12 May 1992. The north west is benefiting from four projects under the European Community's PERIFRA scheme.