Written question asked by Ian Gibson (Labour) on Thursday, 21 October 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 November 1999. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 4 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, What success he has had in developing incubator companies of clusters. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Dr. Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what success he has had in developing incubator companies of clusters. [95857] Ms Hewitt: My Department supports the UK Business Incubation Centre (UKBI), which promotes and encourages the uptake of business incubation, spreads best practice and improves networking and coordination between incubators. DTI also supports some sectoral incubation activities, for example through the Biotechnology Mentoring and Incubator Challenge and the Software Business Incubator (a virtual incubator). In addition, the "Reach-Out" fund has invited proposals for enhanced interaction between Higher Education Institutions and business, including support for university- based incubator facilities. Business incubators are often but not exclusively, located within industrial clusters. UKBI have commissioned a study, part-funded by my Department, which will help identify where and how incubator support policy has assisted specific firms, such as high-technology businesses We await the result of this study with interest.

Secondary information