§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on what assistance is available to firms that expand beyond the definition of SME. [65005]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 27 June 20021]The Department has a range of support available for larger companies. This includes support for regional investment, innovation, collaborative research and development and knowledge transfer, exports and international trade and competitiveness activities in particular sectors such as the aerospace or automobile sectors. They also benefit from the Department's major investment in maintaining the excellence of the UK's science and engineering base.
Details of the Department's activities in these areas are set out in DTI's expenditure plans report (Cm 5416) which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry submitted to Parliament on 14 June.