§ 52. Mr. Biffenasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the financing of small businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeverI have received a large number and a wide variety of suggestions, and I am considering them carefully. In addition, there are two committees looking at this matter in a wider context, one chaired by my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) and the other by Lord Roll. I look forward with interest to seeing their conclusions.
§ 53. Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what items of positive discrimination in favour of small businesses have been introduced since September 1977; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeverMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced458W last October a substantial group of measures aimed specifically at helping smaller businesses. I am pressing on with work towards further measures, with much welcome encouragement from the hon. Member and his colleagues in the Liberal Party.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he considers positive discrimination in favour of small businesses to be appropriate at the present time.
§ Mr. LeverIf positive discrimination means taking special measures to help and encourage small firms, I am certainly in favour of it. We have already taken some measures of this kind and there are more to come.
§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to help small firms employing less than 20 employees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeverI am conscious of the special needs of the very small firm, and I will have these firmly in mind in my continuing study of the measures required to encourage and assist small firms generally.