§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what action is being taken in the Northern Region to assist small businesses.
§ Mr. CryerTo provide accommodation for small businesses in the Northern Region the English Industrial Estates Corporation completed 52 nursery units in the three years up to 31st December 1977. A further 66 are under construction and 88 more have been announced. An additional area of factory space for small firms in central Newcastle of about 120,000 square feet was announced in October 1977.
In November 1977 a counselling service to provide small businessmen with experienced guidance on their problems was introduced in the region to supplement the existing services provided by the Small Firms Information Centre at Newcastle.
Most small manufacturing companies receive regional development grants under the Industry Act. A substantial number of the 124 projects offered assistance in the year ended 31st December 1976 and 139 projects supported in the year ended December 1977 concerned small businesses. Some small companies also benefit from the sectoral schemes under Section 8 of the Act.
The Government have established a partnership with local authorities in 351W Newcastle and Gateshead under the programme to assist inner city regeneration. Small firms have a vital contribution to make towards this end. Small firms in the area were given an opportunity to exchange views with central and local government at the conference held in Newcastle in January.
The Department of Employment assists eligible firms in the region's special development areas by means of the small firms employment subsidy.
In the region's rural areas assistance is also given by the Development Commission through the construction of small factories and by the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas through credit advisory and training services. These bodies are responsible to the Department of the Environment.