HC Deb 29 November 2001 vol 375 cc1039-40W
23. Mr. Wyatt

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the operation of the regional development agency venture capital funds. [16494]

Alan Johnson

A number of RDAs are operating, or overseeing the development of venture capital funds in their regions. These funds are designed to target particular sectors of the SME market or geographical areas within their region, for example in the West Midlands there is the Advantage Technology Fund, in the North East the North East Seed Capital Fund and in Yorkshire and the Humber the South Yorkshire Investment Fund.

In addition, RDAs continue to play an important role by acting as sponsors to the development of Regional Venture Capital Funds.