HC Deb 11 June 1991 vol 192 cc525-6W
21. Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has about the involvement in training and enterprise councils of those engaged in running small businesses.

Mr. Forth

When TECs become operational my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State ensures that each TEC board has at least one director with experience of running a small business.

Over 100 TEC directors are from companies which have 30 or fewer employees. TECs have drawn up imaginative plans for helping small businesses to prosper and grow.

23. Mr. Wilshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress in setting up TECs.

Mr. Howard

Excellent progress is being made in setting up training and enterprise councils. All 82 TECs in England and Wales are now in place, with 75 fully operational. The whole network will be operational later this year, nearly two years ahead of schedule.