§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investment has been made in research and development in manufacturing in the UK since 1997. [133135]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Office for National Statistics Business Enterprise Research and Development survey provides the following data on research and development in manufacturing in the UK since 1997:
Expenditure on research and development performed in UK businesses in the manufacturing sector, 1997–2001
£ million Cash terms Real terms (2001 prices) 1997 7,608 8,360 1998 8,142 8,707 1999 8,995 9,392 2000 9,231 9,429 2001 10,040 10,040
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her plans for supporting manufacturing. [133136]
585W
§ Jacqui SmithThe Government's Manufacturing Strategy published in May last year, identified seven key areas of activity for Government and industry that are crucial for manufacturing success. We are taking action in all of those areas to support UK manufacturers.
for example, the Manufacturing Advisory Service has been a real success as a major source of advice and support for small and medium sized manufacturers. Since it launched in April 2002, the Manufacturing Advisory Service has handled over 17,000 inquiries from manufacturing companies and has carried out over 3,000 diagnostic and advisory visits. Over 1,000 firms have benefited from in-depth consultancies to help them improve their productivity. The total value added benefit to firms helped by the Manufacturing Advisory Service is £18 million.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate her Department has made of the supply of manufacturing labourers throughout the United Kingdom. [132853]
§ Jacqui SmithOfficial statistical sources, such as the Labour Force Survey and Employers Surveys, do not provide estimates of the supply of manufacturing labourers.
There were 3.7 million workforce jobs in the manufacturing industry in the UK in June 2003.