HC Deb 27 February 1985 vol 74 c321
6. Mr. Lightbown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will complete his Department's repackaging exercises on assistance to small businesses and publish the new literature.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. David Trippier)

My hon. Friend the Minister for Information Technology announced on 12 November 1984 that new arrangements for regrouping all the Department's assistance schemes would be introduced within five months. That remains our intention. We shall make a further announcement nearer the time when the change takes place.

Mr. Lightbown

I congratulate my hon. Friend on his repackaging and rescheduling of the programme. What are his future intentions for presentation?

Mr. Trippier

I should point out to my hon. Friend that I am paid. I am not paid enough, but I am paid. The presentation arrangements will be the subject of a detailed announcement before they are introduced. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in July 1984, they involve grouping the supportive measures of the Department of Trade and Industry under four headings: support for advisory services, support for investment, support for innovation and support for exports.

Mr. Kirkwood

Will the Minister take a leaf out of the Scottish Development Agency's book and publish a guide for England similar to the one that is already published in Scotland, which outlines clearly and in one publication the assistance that is available to small industries north of the border?

Mr. Trippier

We have already produced an effective and, I think, widely accepted document entitled "Help for Growing Businesses" and another one that is called "How to Make Your Business Grow", which has met with wide support throughout the country. I am considering publishing a guide that could be fitted into the pocket which would provide a signposting service to those important people we are trying to help who are running small businesses.

Mr. Cash

Will my hon. Friend confirm that when he continues with his exercise of assistance to small businesses he will produce in due course a legislative framework which will ensure that there is a coherent policy for small businesses?

Mr. Trippier

As I said in a debate on a private Member's Bill on 18 January 1985, I am concerned about the number of initiatives that are coming forward. There may need to be some composite framework to enable initiatives to be brought forward. The most important thing that the Government can do is to concentrate on the economic environment in which small businesses operate.

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