To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments the (a) North East Development Agency and (b) North East Economic Forum has made to Sovereign Strategy in each of the last three years; for what purposes; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract under which such payments have been made. (302304)

The information requested is as follows:

(a) One North East, the Regional Development Agency for the North East of England has made one payment to Sovereign Strategy in March 2007 for £23,500.

This payment was for sponsorship of a conference event dated 17 November 2006 relating to the North East Economic Forum.

As the payment was in the form of sponsorship, a contract is not applicable.

(b) The North East Economic Forum is a separate legal entity independent of Government and therefore I am unable to provide the information.