HL Deb 10 February 1981 vol 417 c129

2.42 p.m.

Baroness Sharples

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce measures to make the tax privileges available for equity investment in independent businesses as attractive as those for investment in large companies through pension funds.

The Minister of State, Treasury (Lord Cockfield)

My Lords, while I note what my noble friend says, I am afraid that I cannot anticipate my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement. Since coming into office, we have however introduced a large number of measures to improve incentives and help businesses, particularly small businesses.

Baroness Sharples

I thank my noble friend for that reply. Could he please impress on his right honourable friend that any further encouragement given to small investors in unquoted companies would be very welcome?

Lord Cockfield

My Lords, I shall be most happy to convey my noble friend's views to my right honourable friend.