§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the local dissemination of business and technology information; and when he expects to announce pilot projects to further such local dissemination.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsThe Government attach great importance to the dissemination of business and technology information. Consequently, my Department is directly involved in the dissemination of business and technology information, along with many other organisations in Wales which do so with my support. These include local enterprise agencies and business advice centres, the training and enterprise councils, colleges and development agencies.
Specific initiatives include the Euro info centre set up with EC support. In addition, the Welsh Office, in collaboration with the DTI and local organisations, is involved in a number of technology transfer and awareness programmes. This work has covered a range of technology in special projects in areas such as expert and open systems; new materials and sensors together with programmes covering world-class manufacturing and best management practices.
These services are being further strengthened by Government and European support. Currently, my Department is supporting technology audits designed to identify commercially viable technology in five Welsh colleges and, through the EC STRIDE programme, support totalling £800,000 is being provided to three colleges and the WDA to enhance the services they provide to industry. Information on European research and technology developments will be disseminated through the relay centre project led by the WDA, which became fully operational throughout Wales in January 1993.
We have set up an enterprise and business support working group to advise us on how the delivery of these services to businesses in Wales can be improved.