§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tiverton and Honiton constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department' s policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157806]
§ Mr. CabornThe Department has provided the following support for businesses in Tiverton and Honiton Constituency since May 1997.
518WEnterprise Grants
The Enterprise Grants scheme is a simplified scheme that was introduced in April 2000 to help small firms undertake fixed capital investment projects. Two offers totalling £2,965 have been made to firms in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency.
Smart
Smart awards are designed to help small firms with the introduction of new products and processes. Four Smart awards totalling £268,125 have been made to firms in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency.
Business Link
PROSPER Business Link has provided services to small businesses in the Tiverton and Honiton constituency since 1997. These include general and specialised advice to help businesses grow, export development counselling, ICT advice, and a full range of specialist information. From April 2001 these services will be provided by the Small Business Service operating through a franchise awarded to a PROSPER led partnership. This new service will be more customer focused ensuring that services are driven by local need.