§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of employees employed in work in small and medium-sized businesses in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [26824]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesDifferent definitions of small and medium-sized businesses are used in various contexts. A breakdown of business units in Wales—roughly corresponding to workplaces—by employment size bands is available from the 1993 census of employment. The data are on the NOMIS database which can be accessed by the staff of the Library of the House.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with representatives of small and medium-sized businesses; and if he will make a statement. [26822]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesMy right hon. Friend has, in recent months, met the Institute of Directors (Wales), the Wales Confederation of British Industry and the Cardiff chamber of commerce. Other meetings are planned. In addition, the Welsh Office has supported the recent series of "Your Business Matters" conferences attended by small firms and their representative bodies.