Written question asked by Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 23 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 March 2004. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Thursday, 11 March 2004 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 the cost of the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification programme has been to the Small Business Service in each of the last five years. - Inc figures.

Answer: Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost of the Rover Task Force Modernisation and Diversification programme has been to the Small Business Service in each of the last five years. [156682] Ms Hewitt: The Rover Task Force was established early in 2000, led by the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the right hon. Member for North Tyneside (Mr. Byers). The Task Force considered how both the region's automotive supply chain could be supported, and how the region's manufacturing base could be helped to modernise and diversify. A package of funding for business support and regeneration of £129 million was agreed. £31 million of that figure was administered by the SBS as part of the Modernisation and diversification programme. The funding package of the Rover Task Group is invested in the automotive supply chain. No funding is provided direct to MG Rover itself. To date a total of 1,600 businesses have been assisted by the Taskforce and 3,000 jobs have been safeguarded or created.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 418 c1685-6W;418 c1687-8W; 156682
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Cars Government assistance Manufacturing industries West Midlands Rover Group Longbridge Task Force Task forces
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk