§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to encourage innovation along the Oxford to Cambridge Technology Arc. [66370]
§ Ms HewittThis Government are actively pursuing a policy for sustainable economic growth and increased productivity that is driven by innovation. We have charged the regional development agencies with taking this forward. The east of England and south-east England RDAs and local economic partnerships commissioned an economic study of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc that reported in October 2001. These bodies are represented on a steering group that is developing strategies as recommended by the study and addressing themes such as: branding, skills, and land and property issues.
I am confident that the actions of the Steering Group will encourage innovation along the Oxford to Cambridge Technology Arc.