HC Deb 16 December 1970 vol 808 c368W
Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of the concern in industry over the future of small firms, he will arrange for the publication of the Bolton Committee report at a much earlier date than that forecast by the former President of the Board of Trade in the last Parliament.

Mr. Ridley

The Chairman of the Committee has told me that he is anxious to complete the report with dispatch, but to bring forward its completion could only be done at the expense of proper consideration of the results of the major research projects which have been undertaken on behalf of the Committee.

Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will arrange for the publication of the evidence submitted to the Bolton Committee on Small Firms in advance of the final report.

Mr. Ridley

It is not intended to publish the evidence presented to the Committee, much of which was given in confidence. However, many of the more important witnesses have themselves already published their main written submissions to the Committee.