Written question asked by Charles Hendry (Conservative) on Monday, 1 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 March 2010. It was answered by Sarah McCarthy-Fry (Labour) on Friday, 5 March 2010 on behalf of the Treasury.

Chemical Engineering: Government Assistance

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to paragraph 7.30, page 125, of the pre-Budget report, Cm 7747, from which budget the £30 million for the Teesside chemicals industry will be allocated.

Answer: The £30 million in support for the chemicals industry on Teesside is part of the £200 million extension to the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) announced at 2009 pre-Budget report (PBR). The SIF, which is administered by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, was created in Budget 2009 to support advanced industrial projects of strategic importance. Together with the PBR extension, it has total funds of £950 million. Of this, £400 million is to be spent on low-carbon projects (including the Teesside support).

Secondary information