§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to promote private investment in British manufacturing industry. [46599]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 23 June 1998]: The Government are striving to promote high levels of investment in British industry, including manufacturing, through achieving economic stability, and creating a tax system that rewards enterprise. The Chancellor also recently announced three new venture capital funds totalling £240 million to support small and medium businesses, and this Department is working in partnership with business to raise the competitiveness of our firms, including looking at what else can be done to promote investment.