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45856

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many people applied to the 2014 Sirius Programme for young entrepreneurs; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Windsor
	tabling member printed	Adam Afriyie
	uin	194417
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The Sirius Programme, led by UK Trade and Investment, enables talented graduates with innovative start up ideas to start a business in the UK. Successful applicants receive support via a structured mentoring programme and participants requiring a visa, are able to access support through a dedicated visa route for the Sirius Programme. The current programme is a 2 year pilot - the first round was launched on 6 September 2013 and closed on 15 January 2014. A total of 1543 people applied.<br><br>A second round of the Sirius Programme will open shortly.</p> answering member constituency West Suffolk answering member printed Matthew Hancock question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 4070 label Biography information for Matt Hancock
	tabling member	1586 label Biography information for Adam Afriyie

45857

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, what progress has been made in identifying skills needed to support the agri-tech research progress; and what steps he is taking to ensure the identified skills are being procured.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194477
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The Agri-Tech Strategy Leadership Council is delivering the skills commitments in the Strategy. Current work includes working with the UK Research Councils and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to map the gaps in research skills; working with the Agri-Skills Forum to promote the professionalisation of careers in agriculture; and working with Government to help shape the new Rural Development Programme with respect to agri-skills.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

45867

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will publish regular information on the level of his Department's target impairment for student loans.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hodge Hill
	tabling member printed	Mr Liam Byrne
	uin	194351
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>This Department does not set a target for impairment of student loans. Our reforms were designed to put higher education on a sustainable footing. Universities are now well-funded and this is driving up the quality of the student experience and helping to stimulate economic growth, while keeping access to higher education free at the point of entry.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts grouped question UIN 194350 194353 question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1171 label Biography information for Liam Byrne

45869

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what his Department's current target impairment for student loans is; how such a level was decided on; when this target was introduced; and what change there has been in this target since its introduction.
	tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hodge Hill
	tabling member printed	Mr Liam Byrne
	uin	194350
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>This Department does not set a target for impairment of student loans. Our reforms were designed to put higher education on a sustainable footing. Universities are now well-funded and this is driving up the quality of the student experience and helping to stimulate economic growth, while keeping access to higher education free at the point of entry.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts grouped question UIN 194351 194353 question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1171 label Biography information for Liam Byrne

46014

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, what progress he has made in establishing a Centre for Agricultural Informatics.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194481
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>Over the last few months we have held a number of discussions and consultation events to identify priorities for this Centre and others that will follow. Building on this input, a sub-group of the Agri-Tech Leadership Council has developed a specification that will be published later this month. The application process will open shortly thereafter.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

46015

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, whether UK Trade & Investment has established a new dedicated team to increase the volume and value of overseas investment into the UK agri-tech sector.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194482
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>Yes. The Agri-Tech Investment Organisation was established on 1 August 2013 within UK Trade and Investment. It is staffed by a mix of civil servants and industry experts dedicated to increasing the value and volume of overseas investment into the UK agri-tech sector.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

46016

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, if he will list the activities undertaken by the UK Trade and Investment Business Ambassador to champion UK agri-tech; and which early stage markets have been identified for future growth.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194467
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>James Townshend, the UK Business Ambassador for agri-tech, has undertaken the following activities to raise the UK's reputation in agri tech; to support inward investment and exports:</p><p><strong>2013</strong></p><p>London – 18 April. Met Hamish Renton, UK dairy specialist, in advance of visit to Qatar in May 2013.<br><br></p><p>London – 29 April. Met my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Owen Paterson), to discuss HMG Agri-Tech Industrial Strategy.<br><br></p><p>London – 30 April. Attended and delivered the keynote speech at the UK Dairy Export Forum.<br><br></p><p>London – 8 May. Met the Ambassador of Belarus to the UK to discuss potential business opportunities in Belarus for UK agricultural companies.<br><br>Qatar – 20 - 23 May. Led a scoping mission aimed at positioning UK companies to win potential contracts. .<br><br>Turkey – 1 September. Visited the Agroexpo/Animal Expo, Eurasia.</p><p>Angola 8 – 9 October. Led, with my noble Friend Lord Marland, a multi-sector trade mission to Luanda, which included calls on the Angolan Ministers for Finance, Petroleum, Agriculture, Defence, Energy, Trade &amp; Industry and Education.</p><p> </p><p><strong>2014</strong><strong><br><br></strong>Burma 19 - 23 January. A scoping visit and meetings with key decision makers and practitioners.</p><p>Early stage markets already identified are Angola and Qatar and we continue to keep our activity under review.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

46017

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, for what reason Qatar was chosen as the first country for UK Trade and Investment to work with.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194468
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>Qatar was chosen because of its Government's commitment to increase agricultural production over the coming years with the aim of becoming less reliant on imported food and more self-sufficient. This may offer important future opportunities for UK agri-tech organisations.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

46018

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, what progress UK Trade and Investment has made on identifying possibilities for UK-based food and drink producers through the High Value Opportunity Programme for Food Security.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194469
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The scope of the High Value Opportunity for Food Security is dependent on the national strategies to be published by key target markets. Prospects for UK-based food and drink producers will become clearer once these strategies are published.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright

46019

	registered interest
	date	31/03/2014
	answering body	Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept id	26
	answering dept short name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	answering dept sort name	Business, Innovation and Skills
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, with reference to A UK Strategy for Agricultural Technologies, how many times the Leadership Council has met; and what the items for discussion were at each meeting.
	tabling member constituency	Hartlepool
	tabling member printed	Mr Iain Wright
	uin	194470
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/04/2014 answer text <p>The Agri-Tech Leadership Council has met four times. The items discussed are set out below:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Date</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Subjects discussed</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>23<sup>rd</sup> September 2013</strong></p></td><td><p>1. Launch of the Agri-Tech Strategy and future implications for the Leadership Council</p><p>2. Funding position</p><p>3. Leadership Council - general principles and roles, skills and knowledge</p><p>4. Communications - general principles and ways of working</p><p>5. Catalyst process and timetable</p><p>6. Marketplace Networking Events for the Centres for Agricultural Innovation</p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>26<sup>th</sup> November 2013</strong></p></td><td><p>1. Centres for Agricultural Innovation – reflections and next steps</p><p>2. Leadership Council - Outcomes, Metrics, Management</p><p>3. Information and Project Plan</p><p>4. Evaluation of the Agri-Tech Strategy</p><p>5. UKTI approach on exports and inward investment</p><p>6. Communications</p><p>7. International funding</p><p>8. Skills and knowledge transfer</p><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>16<sup>th</sup> January 2013</strong></p></td><td><p>1. Agri-Tech Strategy small and medium size enterprise perspective</p><p>2. Update on Catalyst bids and the Agri-Informatics Centre</p><p>3. Potential private sector investment in Centres for Agricultural Innovation</p><p>4. UKTI Programme on agri-tech inward investment and exports</p><p>5. Skills</p><p>6. Communications</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2<sup>nd</sup> April 2014</strong></p></td><td><p>1. Agri-Engineering</p><p>2. Updates on the first successful Catalyst projects and discussions with the private sector on Centres for Agricultural Innovation.</p><p>3. Next steps in establishing the Centres</p><p>4. Skills – update on next steps</p><p>5. Priorities for the Leadership Council in next 12 months</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, the Leadership Council held a telephone conference on 24<sup>th</sup> February 2014 which discussed the proposed timetable and actions for commissioning the Centre for Agri-Informatics and Metrics of Sustainability, and arrangements for evaluating the Agri-Tech Strategy.</p> answering member constituency Havant answering member printed Mr David Willetts question first answered 07/04/2014 12:00:00 answering member 53 label Biography information for Lord Willetts
	tabling member	1478 label Biography information for Mr Iain Wright