§ Dr. LadymanTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what grants other than regional selective assistance were made available to industrial and business investors in Wales in 1997. [32558]
§ Mr. HainRegional Selective Assistance is the main form of regional aid in Wales. In 1997 a total of £130 million was offered to companies in Wales. Other, smaller grant schemes administered by the Welsh Office with particular regard to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and to encourage innovation include Regional Enterprise Grants, Regional Innovation Grants, and the SMART, SPUR and SPUR-plus award schemes. In total just over £3 million was offered to companies under these schemes in 1997.
34WA range of services, including grant support, is also provided by the Welsh Development Agency, the Development Agency, the Development Board, the Training and Enterprise Councils, local authorities and other business development organisations. Information on all of these is not held centrally for the period concerned.