HC Deb 09 March 1998 vol 308 cc75-6W
Dr. Ladyman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grants other than regional selective assistance were made available to industrial and business investors in Scotland in 1997. [32553]

Mr. Wilson

In addition to assistance available throughout the United Kingdom, The Scottish Office, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise make a number of grants available for business development in Scotland. The table shows the grants available and the level of expenditure in 1996–1997, the last complete financial year.

£ million
Grant Expenditure 1996–1997
The Scottish Office
Regional Enterprise Grant Investment Grant Scheme 0.6
Regional Innovation Grant Scheme 1.8
Small Firms Merit Award (SMART)/Support for Products under Research (SPUR) 2.1
Expert Help Programme 0.642
Scottish Enterprise
General Grant Scheme 17.353
Specific Grant Scheme
Training and Employment Grants Scheme 2.684
Scottish Export Assistance Scheme 0.279
Skills for Small Business 1.099

£ million
Grant Expenditure 1996–1997
Business Enterprise Support 6.576
Business Start Up 6.552
Better Businesses Services Scheme 1.361
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Finance for Business 12.895
Business Start Up Scheme 1.655