§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his Department's policy towards promoting employment in small businesses. [21644]
§ Mr. PageThe Government fully recognise and appreciate the importance of small businesses to the economy and the vital contribution they make to job creation.
The Government encourage the role played by small businesses in job creation by creating an economic environment in which they can flourish and grow. This includes stabilising interest rates and inflation and reducing legislative and administrative burdens.
My Department is developing a network of business links based on partnerships between local authorities, TECs, chambers of commerce, and enterprise agencies, to develop a wide range of high-quality business support services, particularly to businesses with the potential for growth.
It is my intention that the wide range of services delivered by my Department will be available through the business link network.