§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the exclusion of retail businesses from the small firms loan guarantee scheme. [39813]
§ Ms HewittRetailing was originally included in the small firms loan guarantee scheme. Along with a number of other local service sectors it was excluded in April 1993. This followed an external evaluation report on the scheme that showed support for firms in these sectors was largely at the expense of displacing business from other local firms.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and industry what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Small Business Service's pilot scheme. [43125]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe Government does not want to see viable companies with good long-term potential being wound up because of temporary financial difficulties.
The pilot project is about determining the most effective means of rescuing such companies. Business survival rates for companies in the scheme will be monitored. Assessment of the impact of the pilot will take place and a full analysis in September 2002.