To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on introducing the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme; and what the cost of administering the scheme was in 2005-06. (126855)

The Department cannot provide a breakdown of the costs involved in setting up and administering the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme. The Department does not monitor resource at this level of detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average time taken to process a Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme award has been since the Scheme’s inception; and what proportion of awards have been paid on time. (126878)

Valuation Office Agency source data are provided to this Department in January of each year for the purpose of calculating Local Authority Business Growth Incentive (LABGI) Scheme awards. Announcements of LABGI grant determinations are then made in February of each year. In the first two years of the scheme, this commitment to provide these determinations in February has been met. In both cases, payments followed in March.