HC Deb 13 June 2002 vol 386 cc1387-8W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the national standards applicable to those delivering Business Link branded services; and whether it is her policy that these standards should be made mandatory. [61308]

Nigel Griffiths

I continue to view the commitment to the National Standards of Professional Competence as key to improving the quality of service available from the Business Link network.

The National Standards of Professional Competence for those delivering Business Link branded services are mandatory.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library the annual assessments taken of the Business Links Service by her Department in each of the past four years. [61314]

Nigel Griffiths

Business Link quarterly performance information reports were routinely filed with the Libraries of the House until early 2001. Since then copies have been available electronically via the Small Business Service web site (sbs.gov.uk) on request.

Hard copies will be supplied to the Libraries of the House.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library impact assessments relating to the performance of local business links. [61307]

Nigel Griffiths

Yes.