§ Stephen HesfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department has taken to increase the productivity of small businesses in the Merseyside sub-region. [2015]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 3 July 2001]: We have established the Small Business Service on Merseyside to help small businesses enhance their competitiveness and profitability. They work with a range of partners, including the Government Office (especially as the managing agent for the European Objective One Programme, which has a significant resource dedicated to developing business) and the North West Development Agency, to champion entrepreneurship and business improvement and to minimise the burden of regulation.