§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Tooting parliamentary constituency, the effect of his Department's policies and actions since 1 May 1997. [149867]
§ Mr. CabornThe parliamentary constituency of Tooting, Wandsworth has benefited from a range of initiatives since 1 May 1997. Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been provided by the DTI through core programmes and the Business Links. While my Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a constituency basis, over 5,800 requests for advice, information and support from SMEs in Tooting, Wandsworth have been handled by the Business Links since May 1997. During the same period, grants totalling over £300,000 have been awarded to SMEs for innovation and technology development under the Smart scheme.