asked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) whether he will make further provision for the product and process development scheme;(2) how much money has been made available for the product and process development scheme in each period of six months since its inception; and what are his proposals for the future funding of that scheme.

Assistance offered under the product and process development scheme since its inception is as follows:

Period	Assistance Offered	Number of Projects
	(£ million)
1977–78	0·970	17
April 78—September 78	7·208	77
October 78—March 79	19·229	126
April 79—September 79	10·849	90
October 79—March 80	11·848	79
April 80—September 80	1·183	39
October 80—March 81	21·655	95
April 81—September 81	25·233	151
October 81—March 82	38·825	177

The scheme does not have a set financial limit. Funds are allocated annually in accordance with public expenditure provisions. As announced in the Budget innovation package, support for innovation, which includes product and process development, is being increased over the next three years.