§ 88. Mr. Tim SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to improve communications between his Department and business at a local level.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe close communications which my Department's regional offices already maintain with business is being reinforced at the local level by the opening of some 24 satellite offices throughout England making 35 local offices in all. DTI regional offices have a particular responsibility for marketing the DTI services for business described in the White Paper "DTI—the department for Enterprise" laid before the House in January and to which business response has been excellent.
In addition, 16 task forces and eight city action teams have been set up part of whose role is to assist companies wishing to become involved in urban regeneration. With Ministers from other Departments I am meeting senior representatives of business and industry at a series of working breakfasts to highlight opportunities for them in the inner cities.