HC Deb 01 February 1999 vol 324 cc512-3W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the local electronic commerce support centres in the North-West; and how many small and medium enterprises use their services. [68462]

Mr. Wills

Information Society Initiative centres are based in the following TEC areas:

  • Bolton/Bury
  • Cumbria
  • ELTEC
  • Manchester
  • North and Mid Cheshire Oldham
  • Rochdale
  • South and East Cheshire
  • Stockport and High Peak
  • Wigan
  • CEWTEC
  • St. Helens

The North West Technology Web also has a network of Technology Management Centres in:

  • Blackburn
  • Bolton
  • Daresbury
  • Manchester
  • Oldham
  • Preston
  • Skelmersdale
  • (A further centre is currently being set up in Cumbria)

Other centres which provide similar support to businesses include Connect in Liverpool, which covers Merseyside, and ISaware and Gemisis, which cover Greater Manchester.

Information on the number of companies using these centres will take time to compile and I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of that letter in the Libraries of the House.