HC Deb 19 December 1984 vol 70 cc239-40W
34. Mr. John Browne

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is satisfied with the current level of publicity for the small firms service.

Mr. Trippier

I recently reviewed the level of take-up of the small firms inquiry service and concluded that further publicity is required. The first phase of a new round of national advertising to promote this service was completed in November and further advertisements will appear in 1985. I shall be monitoring the response to this campaign and will take the results into account in planning future publicity.

46. Mr. Richard Page

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries the small firms service has answered in the last three months.

Mr. Trippier

During the period August to October 1984 the small firms service answered 64,610 inquiries.

53. Mr. Cartiss

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many business counsellors are under contract to the small firms service.

Mr. Trippier

At 30 November there were 261 business counsellors under contract to the Department of Trade and Industry providing advice to small firms in England. In Scotland and Wales, business counselling is provided by the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans to extend the small firms service.

Mr. Trippier

No. The small firms service was strengthened in 1983. In that year a new small firms centre was opened in Reading and the counselling resources were expanded in order to assist more small businesses, in particular those arising through the expanded enterprise allowance scheme.

Mr. Couchman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he has taken to improve the speed of response of the small firms service.

Mr. Trippier

The small firms service is regularly reviewed with a view to improving the speed and quality of response. During 1984, a microcomputer system, a major objective of which is to provide a faster and more comprehensive service to inquirers, has been installed in all small firms centres in England, except the Cambridge centre, which will receive its system early next year.