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National Investment Corporation

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department sought any external legal and financial advice in relation to negotiations with (a) retail and (b) investment banks on the proposed National Investment Corporation. [318902]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department sought external advice on possible fund and investment structures before discussions with both retail and investment banks. The Department is continuing to seek advice as negotiations continue.

Public Sector: Billing

Mr. Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) Government departments, (b) local authorities, (c) primary care trusts, (d) educational institutions and (e) Government agencies have signed up to his Department's Prompt Payment Code. [317705]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The Institute of Credit Management developed and operates the Prompt Payment Code. As of 12 February 2010, 22 Government Departments, 145 local authorities, 249 NHS bodies and 36 other bodies (which include educational institutions and Government agencies) were signatories to the code.

The latest list of signatories is provided on the ICM website and can be viewed via the following link:

http://212.36.97.5/ppc/signatory.a4d?uid=634062674

10 Mar 2010 : Column 397W

Public Sector: Procurement

Mr. Binley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of small businesses which have contracts with (a) Government departments, (b) local authorities, (c) primary care trusts, (d) education institutions and (e) Government agencies. [317704]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold the information requested and an estimate could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

10 Mar 2010 : Column 398W

Students: Newcastle upon Tyne

Jim Cousins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students received non-repayable maintenance grants from Newcastle City Council in each year since 2004-05; what the average grant received by such students was in each such year; how much was awarded in total in each such year; and how many and what proportion of those in receipt received a partial award as a result of means testing. [320710]

Mr. Lammy: The information is shown in the tables.

Grants for maintenance - Newcastle-upon-Tyne Local Authority( 1)
Academic Year	Grant		Total
2004-05	HE Grant	Applicants (number)	590
		Award Amount (£)	510,000
		Average (£)	860
2005-06	HE Grant	Applicants (number)	1,050
		Award Amount (£)	940,000
		Average (£)	900
2006-07	HE Grant	Applicants (number)	820
		Award Amount (£)	750,000
		Average (£)	910
	Maintenance Grant(2)
		Applicants (number)	940
		Award Amount (£)	2,000,000
		Average (£)	2,130
2007-08	HE Grant	Applicants (number)	490
		Award Amount (£)	440,000
		Average (£)	890
	Maintenance Grant(2)
		Applicants (number)	1,690
		Award Amount (£)	3,670,000
		Average (£)	2,170
2008-09	HE Grant	Applicants (number)	140
		Award Amount (£)	130,000
		Average (£)	890
	Maintenance Grant(2)
		Applicants (number)	2,520
		Award Amount (£)	5,620,000
		Average (£)	2,230
(1) Table covers approved applicants awarded a grant, amounts show award entitlement amounts. Applicant figures rounded to nearest 10, award amounts to nearest £10,000, averages to nearest £10 (2) Maintenance Grant includes Special Support Grant Source: Student Loans Company

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Full and Partial grants for maintenance - Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Local Authority( 1)
Academic Year	Grant	Applicants			Percentage of those awarded a grant
		Full Grant	Partial grant	Total	Full Grant	Partial grant	Total
2004-05	HE Grant	500	90	590	85	15	100
2005-06	HE Grant	900	140	1,050	86	14	100
2006-07	HE Grant	710	110	820	87	13	100
	Maintenance Grant(2)	600	340	940	64	36	100
2007-08	HE Grant	420	70	490	86	14	100
	Maintenance Grant(2)	1,120	570	1,690	66	34	100
2008-09	HE Grant	120	20	140	85	15	100
	Maintenance Grant(2)	1,660	860	2,520	66	34	100
(1) Table covers approved applicants awarded a grant. Numbers are rounded to nearest 10 so components may not sum to totals (2) Maintenance Grant includes Special Support Grant Source: Student Loans Company

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