§ 6. Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is his best estimate of the decline in the past 12 months of the numbers of small firms.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThere are no reliable figures available on which such an estimate could be based.
§ Mr. MitchellIs the Minister aware of the astonishing number of bankruptcies during the past 12 months, which must inevitably include a large proportion of small businesses? Will he ensure that the agenda of the NEDC meeting on 5th November includes the problems of small businesses, and that they will be given active consideration?
§ Mr. MackenzieI agree that the bankruptcy figures are disturbing. However, they cover a range of activities, and no separate figures are available for small business bankruptcies, as such. For this reason, and as the figures take no account of new starts of businesses, they are not a reliable indicator of the small business sector. But the problems of small businesses are very much in the Government's minds.
§ Mr. CorbettDoes my hon. Friend accept that the biggest threat to the livelihood and success of small business comes 10 increasingly from the growth of monopolies, particularly on the High Streets?
§ Mr. MackenzieOne of the things that I have often said in the House is that, despite what Opposition Members have said from time to time, some of the larger companies are not as helpful to the small businesses as they might be. We have taken this matter up with the CBI and others, to help small businesses open lines of credit, for example, and to help with similar issues.
§ Mr. MitchellThe Minister has not answered the Question. I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.