To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the increase in the budget for regional development agencies referred to in Paragraph 7.65 of the Budget Red Book, HC 342, is targeted to be used to support the energy efficiency initiative for small and medium-sized businesses in the business resource efficiency advice service. (130031)

The nine English regional development agencies (RDAs) are increasing the advice, support and incentives available for environmental improvement and innovation from £140 million in 2006-07 to £240 million in 2007-08. It is for the RDAs to decide the amount of expenditure from their single programme budget used to support the business resource efficiency advice service.