§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for a design initiative involving business links, universities and private sector companies. [36999]
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§ Mr. PageThe Government are convinced that design is fundamental to winning in world markets and that goods design is a crucial part of competitiveness. At national level, Design Council activities include research at leading universities to develop knowledge and tools which will help business managers to make better use of design. At local level, design services are being made available to companies by business links. Business links have been invited to bid for Government funding to employ design counsellors. To date, 51 bids have been approved, and 28 design counsellors are in post.