§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action she is planning to take to help small and medium UK manufacturing companies. [170285]
§ Nigel GriffithsWe will continue to make good progress in taking forward the Government's Manufacturing—the first such strategy for 30 years—which we developed in partnership with industry, trade unions and other stakeholders.
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), a key part of the Strategy, has been a great success since it was launched in 2002, providing easily accessible and practical advice to small and medium sized manufacturers in England and Wales. MAS helped manufacturing companies to see a seven-fold increase in added value from £5 million to £39 million during 2003.
We will continue to help small and medium sized manufacturing companies utilise innovation, investment, best practice, and higher-level skills to succeed in the increasingly competitive global market through.