§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to speed up payments on Government or nationalised industry contracts with small firms; and what representations he has received on this subject.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldI have received no requests to speed up payments on Government or nationalised industry contracts, nor have I received any representations on this subject. Payments on contracts by the nationalised industries come within their commercial competence.
Access to public sector contracts to small firms is a matter currently under consideration in my Department.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Industry what facilities exist or are planned to provide an information bank to allow domestic and foreign buyers to identify United Kingdom and Scottish sources of supply in the small business sector.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe comprehensive services of the British Overseas Trade Board are available to both foreign buyers and small businesses. Commercial trade directories contain details of the capabilities of a large sample of small 35W firms. The small firms service of my Department maintains an information bank giving details of services and assistance available to small firms, including sources of supply.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Industry what provision he has made for research, development and marketing assistance for small firms; where these are located; and at what cost.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe main vehicle for providing management assistance to small firms is my Department's small firms service. The counselling arm of the service is able to advise on problems connected with research, development and marketing. If the experienced business men who conduct the counselling cannot themselves assist, the service will direct the client to the most appropriate source of help.
Government assistance under Industry Act 1972 Number of projects Estimated total project cost £ million Estimated employment created Average cost per job £ Offers of regional selective assistance£million Estimated associated regional development grant paid under Part I £million Average contribution per job £ Firms employing 200 or less 1,923 489.5 55,900 8,753 35.4 43.6 1,412 Other firms 1,442 2,900.1 154,500 18,771 171.2 303.7 3,073
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Industry what studies he has undertaken or are available to him showing the availability of equity funding in the small business sector; and if he is satisfied with the present funding situation for small businesses.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNo, I am not satisfied with the present funding situation for small businesses and we are considering ways in which it can be improved. The Government have just received an interim report from the Committee To Review the Functioning of Financial Institutions on the financing of small firms and this is being studied very carefully.