HC Deb 20 March 2001 vol 365 cc184-5W
Gillian Merron

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Lincoln constituency, the effects on Lincoln of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152974]

Mr. Caborn

The Lincoln constituency has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997 includingBusiness Link—the Business Link network provides a wide range of business advice and support to SMEs. It is not possible to isolate Business Link data for the Lincoln constituency. However within the Lincoln city Local Authority District, from 1997 to date, Business Link Lincolnshire has assisted 843 existing businesses and 1,066 potential business start ups and contributed to 278 new business start ups. Invest UK—an initiative to help investors wishing to set up business in the UK Over 300 jobs in Lincoln City have been secured under this initiative since 1997. Regional Supply Office—an initiative which provides a range of support for supply chain development. It is not possible to isolate data for the Liner In constituency. However since 1997 the Regional Supply Office (RSO) has matched £65 million of business opportunities to Lincolnshire companies. In addition the RSO has worked with Lincoln City Council to resolve supply chain problems. Smart—a discretionary grant available to SMEs to help them develop technologically innovative products and processes. Within the Lincoln constituency three grants worth £149,850 in total have been awarded since May 1997. European Regional Development Fund—in 1999 for the first time parts of Lincoln City became eligible to benefit from European Structural Funds under Objective 2, enabling people in the city to

share in a regeneration programme worth some £228 million of grant funding over the next seven years. Grants will help with site development and provision of business premises, SME support, improving the skills of the work force and community economic development. Enterprise Grants—a new discretionary grant introduced in 2000. Provides support to SMEs investing in capital projects which would not otherwise go ahead. Although SMEs in Lincoln City are eligible to receive Enterprise Grants, no grants have yet been awarded in this area.

Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to(a) Stourbridge and (b) the metropolitan borough of Dudley the effects on the area of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [154732]

Mr. Caborn

Since 2 May 1997 the DTI has made grant offers to businesses in the Dudley metropolitan borough council area including Stourbridge totalling £2.14 million. These grants under the Regional Selective Assistance and Regional Enterprise Grant schemes have helped to create or safeguard 838 jobs and unlock private sector investment totalling over £20 million. During the same period 14 businesses in the Dudley area have received Smart grants totalling £575 233 to assist with research into the development of new products and processes.

In addition to these direct grant mechanisms businesses in the Dudley area will have benefited from assistance available through the local Business link and other DTI funded initiatives such as the Teaching, Company Scheme which will have had a positive impact on the area's economy.