HC Deb 02 May 1984 vol 59 c350
22. Mr. Sackville

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business counsellors are under contract to the small firms service.

Mr. Trippier

At 31 March there were 262 business counsellors under contract to the Department of Trade and Industry providing advice to small firms in England. In Scotland business counselling is provided by the Scottish Development Agency and in Wales by the Welsh Development Agency.

Mr. Sackville

In view of the high level of redundancies during the past year in Bolton, including the Horwich British Rail works, will my hon. Friend consider establishing a small firms area service in Bolton?

Mr. Trippier

Yes, I certainly will. I understand that there have been preliminary discussions about setting up an area counselling office in the offices of the enterprise agency in Bolton.

Mr. Budgen

Is there any indication that the private, professional people of Bolton are significantly more incompetent than the private, professional people in other towns in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Trippier

Quite the reverse.