§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps she is taking to strengthen manufacturing industry in the English regions.[15395]
§ Mr. BattleLast week the Government published a benchmark of British business performance against overseas competitors. This showed that we have some excellent manufacturing firms, among the very best in the world. But our overall performance on several counts, especially innovation, skills and productivity, remains behind that of other developed countries. We shall now be looking at these areas and identifying ways of raising the performance of manufacturing industry. The Government have, however, done much already to strengthen manufacturing industry in the English regions and address these weaknesses. For example
We have refocused and relaunched Business Links, to ensure that new and expanding firms receive the support they need.We have just launched the Enterprise Zone, an internet information service for SMEs.289WWe have given fresh impetus and direction to the Foresight programme, helping companies to innovate and work in partnership with the science base.We support a wide range of sectoral programmes to strengthen manufacturing industries.We are also supporting best practice programmes, delivered through Business Links.We have strengthened the Teaching Company Scheme, which encourages technology transfer.We are encouraging new manufacturing industry by promoting the UK as a site for inward investors.