§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how much money has been paid in the current financial year to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use it has been put; [114391]
(2) how much money his Department has paid to the Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; and to what use the funds have been put. [114388]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 13 March 2000]: The Business Volunteer Mentoring Association initiative is being piloted by the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies, supported by this Department. The aim is to attract 1,000 volunteers, drawn from all sections of the business community to provide mentoring support to pre and early start-up businesses.
For this financial year, the NFEA and local partnerships have been paid £100K to cover their costs in setting up and developing the initiative on the ground.