HC Deb 29 October 2002 vol 391 cc776-7W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's plans to hold a Small Business Week in 2002. [76824]

Nigel Griffiths

Small businesses contribute 40 per cent. to our GDP and together have an annual turnover of one trillion pounds. They employ 12 million people in the UK, which is around 55 per cent. of the private sector workforce, so we promote SMEs every week of the year.

The Small Business Service is sponsoring The Sunday Times National Small Business Week. This major event will take place at Earls Court Exhibition Centre London on 28–30 April 2003. The organisers describe it as "a true celebration of entrepreneurship", focusing on the day-to-day issues of running a small business, assisting them to gain more of a competitive edge with the final aim of increasing profitability.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the outcomes of the regulation summits held between the Small Business Service and key stakeholders, including the list of potential projects which it was agreed would be considered in greater detail. [76833]

Nigel Griffiths

The meetings enabled a useful dialogue with small business representative bodies and provided an opportunity for business representatives to feed their regulatory concerns direct to Ministers.

On 16 October, discussions were held on a number of issues of importance to small firms; in particular on alternatives to regulation, the small firms impact test, the small firms start up resource pack and DTI consultation.

Officials and business representatives agreed to work together on these important issues to deliver benefits to businesses right across the country.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress is being made by the Small Business Service in identifying a possible system for assisting small firms affected by disaster, as outlined in the Government's response to the Small Business Council's second annual report. [76823]

Nigel Griffiths

The Small Business Service has researched the issues arising out of establishing such a fund and the potential form(s) of assistance given to businesses affected by disasters in England. The devolved authorities are responsible for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Officials have reviewed the scheme operated by the USA's Small Business Administration, which provides loans to financially viable enterprises in the event of such a disaster and considered the extent to which that model, or other models, would be applicable in England.

Work in this area is being reviewed in light of the announcement on 18 September 2002, by the Commission of the European Communities, of its proposal to establish a European Union Solidarity Fund. This fund is to be focused on giving immediate financial assistance to help the people, regions and countries affected by major natural, technological or environmental disasters.