HC Deb 02 December 1994 vol 250 c935W
Mr. Harry Greenway

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much funding has been provided to TECs for small and medium-sized businesses in the current financial year and the coming financial year; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ian Taylor

My Department is providing £32.7 million to TECs for enterprise activity by small and medium-sized businesses in the current financial year. A further £6 million is being provided to TECs for the diagnostic and consultancy service delivered by Business Links. My Department is also providing funding totalling £18.7 million for providing a range of advisory services in Business Links and for helping to establish the Business Link network which will mainly assist small and medium sized businesses.

I have not yet finalised my budgets for 1995–96 but I expect to do so shortly and I will provide a further answer at that time.

In addition to DTI funding, other Government Departments, notably the Employment Department provide TECs with funds which they may use to support small and medium sized businesses.