Written question asked by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 January 2005. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Thursday, 13 January 2005 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, pursuant to the Answer of 7th December 2004, 428 c465W, on business support initiatives, what core UK Trade and Investment services are (a) free and (b) subsidised; and at what cost to the Government.

Answer: Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2004, Official Report, column 465W, on Business Support Initiatives, what core UK Trade and Investment services are (a) free and (b) subsidised; and at what cost to the Government. [206919] Mr. Alexander: Advice and information made available through UKTI's website, information centre and inquiry service is free. UKTI's Export Communications Review Scheme, Market Visit Support, Inward Mission Scheme, and Solo Show Support are subsidised. Two UKTI products--OMIS (Overseas Market Introduction Service) and NPFB (New Products from Britain) are chargeable, but at highly subsidised rates to customers. UKTI's products are paid for through its programme budget, currently around £100 million. Some four-fifths of this is estimated to go on support delivered directly to individual companies. There are also administration costs associated with delivery of the services concerned.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 206919; 429 c628W;429 c626W
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Business Advisory services Finance Fees and charges Government assistance UK Trade and Investment
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk