§ Q18. Mr. Gryllsasked the Prime Minister, in view of Government policy to improve the advisory service available to small businesses in urban areas in England and to co-ordinate the advisory services provided by the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas and the small firms service of the Department of Industry, what steps the Department of the Environment and the Department of Industry have taken so far to co-ordinate these advisory services to small businesses; and if she is satisfied with the progress of co-ordination that has been made to date.
§ The Prime MinisterI am satisfied with the co-operation that exists between the advisory services of COSIRA and the Small Firms Service. In recent months, practical steps have been taken to make the best use of resources and to avoid unnecessary duplication. The staff of the two organisations now keep in regular contact and there is closer co-ordination of promotional and representational activities and of publications. Cross referral of inquiries between the two services continues to take place, as it always has done. Further opportunities to work together will be sought in the future.