asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will increase the level of support given by his Department to car component supplier companies.

The automotive components sector is able to take advantage of various departmental schemes of assistance made available generally to manufacturing industry. I am encouraged that the sector has made growing use of the particular facilities offered under the "support for innovation" programme where, for applications received until 31 May 1983, the maximum level of grant for approved projects has been increased from 25 per cent. to 33⅓ per cent. Component companies have also derived benefit from the special assistance the Government have made available to BL.