To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs INVEST Northern Ireland has created in Belfast, West in each year since April 2002. (105917)

Invest NI does not directly create jobs. It provides assistance for businesses to improve their competitive position, which in turn may lead to employment creation. The employment change in client businesses is measured on an annual basis and in terms of employment gains or losses. The employment gain in the financial year ended 31 March 2004 was 130; and for the financial year ended 31 March 2005 the gain was 202. This represents a total of 332. However these gains were offset by 737 job losses, resulting in a net employment change of -405 employees over the period.

In addition, Invest NI assisted 418 business starts through the Northern Ireland Start a Business Programme. These businesses are expected to create 543 new jobs (see Table).