§ Ms BuckTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each category of grants given to projects in(a) Westminster and (b) the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99, (iii) 1999–2000 and (iv) 2000–01. [148598]
§ Mr. CabornWestminster and the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea have benefited from a range of DTI initiatives since 1997 to support innovation and promote business development.
Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been provided by the DTI through core programmes and Business Links. While the Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a borough basis, Business Links have handled 12,758 requests for advice, information and support from SMEs in Westminster and 4,158 requests from SMEs in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea since 1997. During the same period grants totalling over £533,000 and £128,000 have been awarded to SMEs in Westminster and the royal borough respectively, for innovation and technology projects under the Smart scheme.
All wards in both boroughs are eligible for the enterprise grant scheme, which was introduced in 2000.