Written question asked by Diana Organ (Labour) on Monday, 11 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 December 2000. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2000 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 support from (a) central government and (b) RDAs the foundry industry has received in each of the last two years. - Inc figures and facts that not possible to separately identify financial support from other schemes that have directly benefited foundry industry and information on specific RDA support to particular industry sectors also not readily available.

Answer: Mrs. Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support from (a) central Government and (b) RDAs the foundry industry has received in each of the last two years. [142523] Mr. Alan Johnson: The DTI has provided grant funding of £480,111 (1998-99) and £233,193 (1999-2000) under the Innovation budget (including Sector Challenge) for sectoral competitiveness work in support of the foundry industry. The Department is also supporting other foundry industry projects this financial year as well as the new competitiveness analysis study, but to date only a proportion of the funding has actually been paid (£55,582). In addition, Regional Selective Assistance grants totalling £465,000 (1998-99), £773,000 (1999-2000) and £169,000 (2000-01 to end November) have been paid to companies in the foundry industry. It is not possible to separately identify financial support from other DTI (or other Government) schemes that have directly benefited companies in the foundry industry. Information on specific RDA support to particular industry sectors is also not readily available.

Secondary information