asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 15 February
(WA 145–48), on what grounds individual awards are considered commercially confidential. [HL1125]
Publication of individual grant awards would reveal the investment made by beneficiaries, as match-funding is the norm under the Agriculture Development Scheme 1999. SMEs in particular are often concerned that knowledge of the level of their financial commitment would afford competitors an insight into the scale and potential impact of their project, even before it had started. We therefore respect the commercial sensitivity of the size of individual awards, not least to avoid creating a disincentive to apply for support. Beneficiaries are, however, free to publicise their awards if they so wish.