§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Manufacturing Advisory Service. [186345]
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§ Jacqui SmithThe Manufacturing Advisory Service has been a huge success as a source of practical help to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies. It plays a vital role in helping our manufacturers to improve their productivity and to compete effectively in an increasingly global economy. In the period from its establishment in April 2002 to June 2004 the Manufacturing Advisory Service has delivered £66.8 million in added value to manufacturing companies it has assisted, with average productivity improvements running at 30 per cent. Its success was recognised in the recent 2004 Spending Review, as a result of which the Department's funding for MAS will increase to £17 million over the period 2005–06 to 2007–08, match funded by the regional development agencies. We are working with the regional development agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that we take full advantage of this additional funding to build on the success that has already been achieved.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total annual projected resource budget is for the Manufacturing Advisory Service. [187106]
§ Jacqui SmithFollowing the 2004 Spending Review announcement, the Department's expenditure in support of the regional operations of the Manufacturing Advisory Service will be £5 million in 2005–06, £6 million in 2006–07, and £6 million in 2007–08, match funded by the Regional Development Agencies. In addition, the Department will separately fund a contract to manage the MAS national network over the same period. The size of this contract has not yet been determined.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual projected resource budgets are for each of the regional manufacturing advisory services. [187107]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department is currently in discussion with the Regional Development Agencies about the regional allocation of the Department's funding for the regional operations of the Manufacturing Advisory Service over the 2004 Spending Review period. The Regional Development Agencies will be expected to match fund the Department's own contribution.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual resource budgets have been for each of the regional manufacturing advisory services since 2002. [187108]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department's budget allocation in support of the regional centres of the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the South East, London, West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, South West, and Wales, over the period 2001–02 to 2004–05, has been £1,350,000 each. The allocation to the North East has been £940,000, to the East Midlands £1,441,000 and East of England £1,145,000. The1630W Department's budget allocation has been matched funded by the Regional Development Agencies in each region.
§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total annual budget for the Manufacturing Advisory Service as a whole has been since 2002. [187112]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Department's total budget allocation for the regional operations of the Manufacturing Advisory Service over the period 2001–02 to 2004–05 has been £12.9 million, match funded by the Regional Development Agencies. The Department's budget allocation for the management of the Manufacturing Advisory Service national network over the same period has been £1.2 million.