§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many businesses in the north-west have received advice from business links since they were introduced. [34104]
§ Mr. PageThe latest returns from business links show that the number of businesses using business links in the north-west more than quadrupled between April 1995 and March 1996 from 3,103 different businesses using business links at least once in the first quarter, April to July 1995, to 12, 820 doing so in the final quarter, January to March 1996. This means that more than 980 different businesses are now using business links in the north-west each week. The figures for the final quarter are based on returns from business link partnerships in the north-west that were open before February 1996.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what distance he has defined as being within easy reach of a local business link outlet. [34064]
§ Mr. PageNo distance has been defined as most day-to-day contact with customers is likely to be over the telephone, by fax or on the premises of the business concerned. The number and location of business link outlets in each area has been determined by the local partners—TECs, chambers of commerce, local authorities, enterprise agencies and others—on the basis of their view of local needs.