§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of(a) his policies and (b) the work of his Department in helping small businesses in the last 12 months as against the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors the impact and the statistical results of such monitoring. [39140]
§ Mr. HoramThe Government recognise the crucial role played by small firms in the United Kingdom economy and aim to help them by providing sound economic conditions—keeping inflation and interest rates low; reducing legislative administrative and taxation burdens; and where appropriate provide direct assistance in the form of specialist advice and support and easing access to finance.
In October 1995 the Department appointed a small business Minister who continues to be actively involved in the various measures being taken forward across government by the small business Ministers' initiative.
The Department has created a new sponsorship branch to deal with the health care medical systems industry, which is dominated by small businesses, and has begun a regular series of meetings with the lead trade association to identify those issues which need to be addressed if the industry is to maintain its competitive performance.
The Department is particularly sensitive to the effect of new regulations on business, especially small businesses. It is taking action to stem the flow of new regulations and to make sure that those that are 505W introduced are better regulations. We have promoted a sensitive approach to small businesses on food safety enforcement matters. This has included issuing guidance to local authorities and, recently, making an order under the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 to provide new rights of representation and a period of notice before certain enforcement action is taken. On 15 September 1995, 12 sets of regulations were replaced with two for general food hygiene and temperature controls. Temperature controls provide for significant potential savings in the food industry, which includes many small businesses. Two regional small business panels have been set up to act as sounding board for small food businesses.