Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many businesses employ 10 or more people in Northern Ireland; how many businesses that employ 10 or more people are members of the CBI in Northern Ireland; on what basis she has assessed that the CBI in Northern Ireland is representative of business opinion on Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [39196]
§ Mr. IngramAt 22 April 1998 there were 6,185 private sector businesses employing 10 or more people in Northern Ireland. Total employment in these firms is some 300,000. I understand the CBI in Northern Ireland has about 300 member firms employing approximately 100,000 people and representing a wide spectrum of 9W business activity. I welcome views from the CBI and other business organisations in Northern Ireland on a broad range of economic and commercial topics.