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13 Mar 2006 : Column 1995W—continued

Power Generators

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government's policy is on promoting demand side management by power generators. [57362]


 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 1996W
 

Malcolm Wicks: This winter has seen substantial levels of demand reduction from gas-fired power generators as a normal commercial response to increases in the price of gas, suggesting that there is no need for Government to intervene to promote demand side response from this sector.

Research Station Closures

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the statutory bodies that have made submissions to the consultation on the proposed closure of four research stations run by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. [56741]

Barry Gardiner [holding answer 9 March 2006]: The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). In December 2005, NERC announced a consultation on its proposals on how CEH can contribute to UK Environmental science on a sustainable basis.

I have asked the chief executive of NERC to write to the hon. Member concerning his request.

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent developments there have been in the proposed closure of research stations run by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology. [57081]

Barry Gardiner [holding answer 9 March 2006]: The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) is wholly owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). In December 2005, NERC announced a consultation on its proposals on how CEH can contribute to UK Environmental science on a sustainable basis. NERC Council met on 8 March 2006 to consider an assessment of the input to this consultation from stakeholders. NERC expects to announce Council's decision shortly.

Small Businesses

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of small businesses in the United Kingdom failed within their first year of operation in 2005. [56989]

Alun Michael: The Small Business Service uses VAT registration and de-registration data to estimate the failure rate of businesses. Businesses can be tracked from the time that they first register for VAT until the time they de-register. VAT data covers businesses of all sizes, although the majority of businesses which register for the first time are small.

8 per cent. of UK businesses registering for VAT in 2003 had de-registered within one year. These data are available at www.sbs.gov.uk/survival. Figures for 2004 will be available in winter 2006–07.

VAT registration and de-registration data do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold. Similarly, businesses that de-register will not necessarily have failed. Only 1.8 million out of 4.3 million enterprises were registered for VAT at the start of 2004. Failure rates based on VAT data will therefore only provide an indication of true failure rates of small businesses.
 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 1997W
 

South West Regional Development Agency

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the UK companies in each county in the South West Region which have received assistance from the South West Regional Development Agency since it was set up. [55183]

Alun Michael: I am told by the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) that it delivers assistance to business in a variety of ways, some directly but a great deal indirectly through intermediary organisations, such as Marine South West, South West Food and Drink, and South West Screen. For the purposes of this reply I am including information where the RDA has provided direct financial assistance to companies.

The Agency's ability to assist individual companies is limited, by EU State Aid Regulations. There are a number of State Aid Exemptions which allow financial assistance in particular circumstances, so the Agency's use of these schemes and the companies assisted are included at Annex A.

The Agency has administered two DTI grants—Enterprise Grant Scheme, Regional Selective Assistance and currently administers a further two—Selective Finance for Investment in England, and Research and Development Grant scheme. Details of companies assisted through these grants are at Annex B.

From this establishment, RDAs administered a number of programmes from successor organisations. The Redundant Building Grant provided financial assistance to a large number of private enterprises within de minimus State Aid regulations to assist with the refurbishment of redundant agricultural buildings. The Agency also administered a large number of small scale grants to companies during the foot and mouth crisis. Due to the large number of grants awarded, it is not possible to provide individual information on the companies assisted.

Annex A

Companies assisted through the Partnership Investment Programme (former English Partnerships State Aid exempt scheme) in Cornwall

Companies assisted though the State Aid exempt Gap funding scheme in Cornwall

Other State Aid exempt schemes


 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 1998W
 

Organisation(54)County/Unitary
Team Innovation Ltd.Bath and North East Somerset Council
Solicitors Own Software Ltd.Bath and North East Somerset Council
Adams Racing Ltd.Bath and North East Somerset Council
Mirage Inks Ltd.Bath and North East Somerset Council
Sabertel Ltd.Bath and North East Somerset Council
Clearspeed Technology Ltd.Bristol
Qzym Ltd.Bristol
INVRO Ltd.Bristol
Diadem Audio LtdBristol
Informs Ltd.Bristol
(Dynamic Aspects Ltd.Bristol
Seating Direct (International) Ltd.Bristol
M-Stream Ltd.Bristol
Tidal Generation Ltd.Bristol
GO Science Ltd.Bristol
Goingon Ltd.Cornwall
R. F. SolutionsCornwall
Silvertree Engineering Ltd.Cornwall
Dispersed Music and Merchandising SystemsCornwall
Kernow. Instrument Technology Ltd.Cornwall
Hirst Magnetic Instruments Ltd.Cornwall
Zoptic Ltd.Cornwall
Triskel MarineCornwall
Windfarms Ltd.Cornwall
Broadreach Systems Ltd. (Maurice Bard Ltd. and Associates)Devon
Sifam Fibre Optics LimitedDevon
Advanced Control Research Ltd.Devon
Daviron Instruments Ltd.Devon
P. C. Maritime Ltd.Devon
Auxetix Ltd.Devon
Beran Instruments Ltd.Devon
Merlin Systems Corporation Ltd.Devon
Lapmaster International Ltd.Devon
Advanced Energy Monitoring Systems Ltd.Devon
B. J. Min Ltd.Devon
Golfspeed International LimitedDorset
Senscient Ltd.Dorset
Procyon Instruments Ltd.Dorset
J-Tech DevelopmentsDorset
Soundbyte Ltd.Dorset
Quigley AssociatesDorset
British Autogard Ltd.Gloucestershire
Vero International Software UK Ltd.Gloucestershire
Mecwash Systems Ltd.Gloucestershire
Howdon Power Transmission Ltd.Gloucestershire
Unseen Technologies International Ltd.North Somerset
Foundrax Engineering Products Ltd.Somerset
TeleMedic SystemsSomerset
Snell 2000 Ltd.Somerset
Tonedale Properties Ltd.Somerset
Advanced Transport Systems Ltd.South Gloucestershire
Maximedia Services Ltd.South Gloucestershire
David AkermanWiltshire
Swindon Silicon SystemsWiltshire
Romarsh Ltd.Wiltshire
Sarum Biosciences Ltd.Wiltshire


(54) These are companies that have received Grant for Research and Development and some were selected for support before SWRDA took over management of the scheme from the Small Business Service (DTI)


Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the companies from overseas which have been brought to the South West by the regional development agency since it was set up; and what the location is in each case. [55185]


 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 1999W
 

Alun Michael: I am advised by the South West of England regional development agency that the following table provides details of overseas companies
 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2000W
 
and their locations in the South West that have been assisted by the agency since 1999.
South West RDA successes 1999–2006

Company nameCountry of originLocation in SWJobs createdJobs safeguarded
1999
Fazion (UK) Ltd.ItalianExeter18
STMicroelectronicsFrenchBristol90
Arima OptoelectronicTaiwanBath10
Interlog SLSpanishKemble, Wilts105
Honda LockJapanSwindon10
SDCJapanSwindon10050
ABB OffshoreSwitzerland/SwedenCamborne15
E ToysUSASwindon100
Bristol & WestIrelandBristol200
SabreUSASwindon50
TS Tech UK Ltd.JapanSwindon110
Hirata Parts (UK) Ltd.JapanTewkesbury100
Nissin (UK) Ltd.JapanSwindon4040
Honda DistributionJapanBristol125150
Avco TechnologiesNetherlandsSwindon3050
Standard ProductsUSAPlymouth100
OrangeHong KongPlymouth1,100
SentinelUSAPlymouth200
WRE/Unit eGermanyChippenham20
Arla PlasticsSwedenBristol10
Hasbro InteractiveUSAChipping Sodbury7035
OTSDutchWeston-super-Mare50
PatheonCanadaSwindon50400
Total: 232,593745
2000
CrydomUSAWimborne011
InfolibriaUSASwindon120
PHH EuropeUSATrowbridge100
Sifam Fibre OpticsCanadaTorquay1,0000
USIT TravelEirePlymouth2600
HondaJapanSwindon300
EAIUSASwindon100
Piping Hot NetworksUSAPlymouth4510
CitronicTaiwanMelksham018
PulsetecJapanSwindon10
Habit DiamondUSSaltash2429
Ohashi TechnicaJapanSwindon200
AMPUSPlymouth6121
Baldor UK Ltd.USBristol5080
WavinDutchSwindon30
Hunter MarineUSDorset1500
EquiteaKenyaTaunton50
Toshiba TRLJapanBristol614
JDS UniphaseUSPlymouth1,0420
OrangeFrancePlymouth4000
Knight MarketingUSABuckfastleigh60
Marine ProjectsSouth AfricaPlymouth225209
Edward JonesUSABristol40
NSKJapanStroud0225
Flight Visions UK Ltd.USALangport50
Portland BunkersGreecePortland700
IntercallUSAGloucester10030
ChickmasterUSABridgwater070
Magna InfotechUSABristol1000
Systest LabsUSASwindon300
Total: 303,669717
2001
DrytacCanadaBristol015
EAIUSABristol34
ParametricUSABristol023
PatheonCanadaSwindon610
BoingAustraliaBristol1000
VanbotsCanadaSwindon020
Plymouth GinSwedenPlymouth06
Takao Europe Ltd.JapanGloucester450
Multimedia CentreUSABristol60
DEKUSADorset0100
Bam4FunUSABath250
SeamapSingaporeSomerset120
Super HJapan/FranceBristol1000
PulsicUSABristol88
Cirbo Ltd.USABodmin060
CDC SystemsCanadaGloucester1200
TS TechJapanSwindon800
Symmetry MedicalUSACheltenham00
SDCJapanSwindon350
Maxam Pneumatics/Parker HannafinUSARedruth047
IP WirelessUSAMalmesbury030
Extended SystemsUSABristol2050
Avimo Group Ltd.FranceGloucester50
Total: 23620363
2002
St. Aero/FR AviationSingaporeBournemouth2000
Borders BooksUSASt. Columb Major6057
Mira ShowersUSAGloucester100
TierOne OSS TechnologiesCanadaGloucester400
BAE/SumtimoJapanPlymouth2000
X-fab Semiconductor FoundriesGermanyPlymouth0180
Specialist Aviation ServicesDutchGloucester50120
Harwell InstrumentsFranceDorset020
Tripos Receptor ResearchUSABude14682
ArchosFranceSwindon40
Xist4S.AfricaBristol50
ToshibaJapanBristol100
Hirata Corporation of EuropeJapanSwindon3416
AbanakiUSABristol10
StralforsSwedenFalmouth60100
Ari-ArmaturenGermanGloucester110
CMT GroupIndiaExeter5016
Transportes CarrerasSpainPoole50
KyoceraJapanBristol80
Synosoft/PangaeaIndiaGloucester101
Toyo DensoJapanSwindon50
Stanley ElectricJapanSwindon20
Total: 22911592
2003
Meddings-Flott Ltd.GermanyIvybridge012
TSI (UK) Inc.USABristol97
Kawasaki Precision Machinery Ltd.JapanPlymouth16182
Ohashi TechnicaJapanSwindon131
Intergraph ConsultingUSASwindon60
IXOS/ObtreeGermany/SwitzerlandBristol021
Cooper StandardUSAPlymouth11160
Info NXX Inc.USAPlymouth6180
Takoa EuropeJapanGloucester31560
DaidoJapanIllminster0170
ClimarAustraliaGloucester300
AmotechKoreaSwindon200
Tata Sons Ltd.IndiaBristol1030
Market ReachUSAPlymouth250
Lattice SeminconductorsUSASwindon1733
ElixentJapanBristol2030
PhihongUSAPlymouth70
Lasco Europe Ltd.JamaicaPlymouth1210
TextronUSAPoole015
Shintoa CorpJapanBristol40
Total: 201,242721
2004
SchlumbergerFrance/USAGloucester1000
BAE SystemsUSAPlymouth0340
Curtiss-WrightUSADorset4359
Northrop GrummanUSABristol20
West PharmaceuticalsUSASt. Austall14
BascoSingaporeDorset10150
IP WirelessUSASwindon50100
Stoneridge Pollak Ltd.USAGloucester120320
EndemolHollandBristol3000
Honda ExpressJapanSwindon50450
AmcorAustraliaStoke Gifford2500
Pics TelecomUSABath200
Lililink MetalTaiwanBristol120
Air Bearings Ltd.JapanBournemouth8780
Total: 141,0451,503
2005
Agusta Westland UK Ltd.ItalyYeovil00
IDXUSABristol300
Actis Insulation Ltd.FranceChippenham122
HondaJapanSwindon00
Blaze UKChinaTaunton50
Roland DGJapanBristol450
Pulsic Ltd.USABristol1525
Condor Power SuppliesUSASouth Molton100
TDK (LAMBDA)JapanIlfracombe0270
Takao Europe Manufacturing Ltd.JapanGloucester10
Toshiba TVJapanPlymouth0271
DbsXmediaUSAPlymouth200
PatheonCanadaSwindon70550
NPILIndiaBristol30
Daido MetalJapanSomerset100
Warwick FabricsAustraliaGloucester415
Carbon SimAustraliaChippenham50
AirbusFranceBristol191300
SogeclairFranceBristol110
Conf ICT CompanyUSABristol200
Conf ICT CompanyUSABath200
Conf Printing CompanyFranceChippenham0230
Jingu Electric AppliancesChinaBristol150
INCATJapanBristol250
Royal CaninFranceCastle Cary4545
Total: 255571,708

 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2003W
 

Summary 1999–2005

Total successes
Number of investments157
Jobs created10,637
Jobs safeguarded6,349




Notes:
1. The investments listed are ones where SWRDA was involved.
2. Numbers were correct at the time the investment was made.
3. Jobs created is a predictive figure ie at the time of the investment the amount of jobs the company believed it would create.
4. Some companies appear more than once as SWRDA has subsequently been involved in retaining or expanding the investing company.




Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the consultants employed by the South West Regional Development Agency in each of the last five years; and how much was paid to each. [55269]

Alun Michael: I am advised by the South West of England Regional Development Agency that it is not possible to provide this information as the Agency does not have a single accounting code within its budgets to which consultancy costs are charged. Consultancy costs are charged and coded against individual projects and Agency activities.

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints have been received from companies by the South West Regional Development Agency in the last five years; and what action was taken in each case. [55270]

Alun Michael: I am told by the South West of England Regional Development Agency that it has handled two formal complaints from companies, (steps 2–4 as outlined in the agency's complaints procedure). One
 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2004W
 
case is currently being considered by the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The other case, was investigated by an officer at the agency, who provided answers and information, as far as it was available, to the company.

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many flagship sites the South West Regional Development Agency controls; and what estimate he has made of the capital cost of each. [55285]

Alun Michael: I am informed by the South West of England Regional Development Agency that it owns a number of major sites in the region including:
Project approval value £000
Temple Quay, Bristol20,383
Tolvaddon, Cornwall4,418
SPark, (Bristol Science Park)30,300
Dursley (Lister Petter site)19,100
Gloucester Docks17,697
Plymouth International Business Park11,418
Osprey Quay, Portland18,150
Former RAF Locking, Weston-super-Mare7,500
Bristol Arena9,150
Morlands15,615
Royal William Yard41,477

Annexe B

Enterprise Grant Scheme:


 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2005W
 

Regional Selective Assistance (Rsa):

Selective Finance For Investment In England (Sfie):

The list following is for all applications (82 in total) by county and company name where claims have been paid by the South West RDA. All the companies listed are UK based, with some being owned by foreign companies.
County/companyForeign or UK ownedGrant scheme
Cornwall
Abrasive Technology LtdUKRSA
Advanced Panel Systems (UK) LtdUKRSA
Armada Tube and Steel LtdUKRSA
Art Metal IndustriesUKSFI
Austin Hinkley Furniture LtdUKRSA
Brewers Business Solutions LtdUKRSA
Castle Granite LtdUKEGS
Channel Offices SuppliesUKEGS
Crepe CuisineUKSFI
DP EngineeringUKSFI
DS Smith UK LtdUKRSA
Duchy PlasticsUKRSA
Fibrefusion LtdUKEGS
Foodsmiths/Surfis LtdUKRSA
Fumiss LtdUKSFI
Hydra (SW) LtdUKRSA
Infoteam International Services LtdUKSFI
John Richards GroupUKSFI
Kernick Metal Finishers LtdUKEGS
Kingfisher Boats LtdUKRSA
Manuplas LtdUKSFI
Mojo Maritime LtdUKSFI
MPG Books LtdUKRSA
Ocean Engineering LtdUKSFI
Pall Europe LtdForeignRSA
Pall Newquay LtdForeignRSA
Panographs WorldwideUKSFI
Partech (Electronics) LtdUKEGS
Pendennis Shipyard LtdUKRSA
Phone Service Europe LtdUKRSA
Precision Audio ProductsForeignRSA
RD Industries LtdUKRSA
Richard WinfreyUKSFI
Rowe the Printers LtdUKRSA
Samworth Brothers LtdUKRSA
Seacore LtdUKRSA
Sharps BreweryUKRSA
Silvertree Engineering LtdUKEGS
Stralfors PlcForeignRSA
Tecker LtdUKRSA
Topfoto Services LtdUKSFI
Tripos Receptor Research LtdForeignRSA
Worlds Apart LtdUKRSA
Devon
AdaptacarUKEGS
BAE Systems LtdUKRSA
Beach Solutions LtdUKRSA
Becton Dickinson LtdUKRSA
Bio Vault LtdUKEGS
Clearlab LtdUKRSA
Coutant-Lambda LtdUKRSA
Croydex Group PlcForeignRSA
Direct Wines LtdUKRSA
Fine Tubes LtdUKRSA
Forest ProductsUKEGS
Frontline Image LtdUKRSA
Hilliers LtdUKRSA
Kawasaki LtdForeignRSA
Langage Dairy FarmUKRSA
Lasco Europe LtdForeignRSA
Mayflower College of EnglishUKRSA
Mike Latham JoineryUKEGS
Morris Engineering LtdUKRSA
P.A.R.C. LtdUKEGS
Princess Yachts International PlcUKRSA
SM Group (Europe) LtdUKEGS
Small and Tidmas LtdUKRSA
The Blacksmith Collection LtdUKEGS
The Number UK LtdForeignRSA
Tony Hole Marine LtdUKSFI
Two Four Productions LtdUKSFI
Valeport LtdUKEGS
Vanier LtdUKEGS
Wrafton Laboratories LtdUKRSA
X-FAB UK LtdForeignRSA
Yennadon QuarryUKSFI
Luhrs Marine LtdUKRSA
Premier StructuresUKRSA
Tecan Components LtdUKRSA
Ultra Electronics LtdUKRSA
Gloucestershire
Dockright LtdUKSFI
Woodgate Sawmills LtdUKEGS

 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2006W
 

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost of capital assistance provided by the South West Regional Development Agency has been in the last five years, broken down by county. [55316]

Alun Michael: I am told by the South West of England Regional Development Agency that it does not hold information on capital assistance provided by county. As a strategic across county, or unitary, boundaries. The Agency's investment figures in support of projects and activities across the south west for the last five years are as follows:
£000
2004–0577,624
2003–0472,106
2002–0378,150
2001–0264,070
2000–0162,652

 
13 Mar 2006 : Column 2007W
 

Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new jobs have been created by the work of the South West Regional Development Agency in the last five years, broken down by county. [55319]

Alun Michael: I am told by the South West of England Regional Development Agency that it does not hold information on jobs created by county. As a strategic organisation many of the activities in which it is involved operate at regional level, or across county, or unitary, boundaries. The Agency reports on a range of outputs that are directly attributable to its investment in support of projects and activities across the region, one of which is jobs created or safeguarded. The figures for jobs created/safeguarded for the last five years are as follows:
Number of jobs created/safeguarded
2004–056,060
2003–046,024
2002–036,508
2001–02(55)10,415
2000–01(55)10,876


(55) In 2002 the Agency changed its method of collecting output information from approval stage to using monitoring returns



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