Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many small businesses in Scotland have closed down in the past two years; and whether he will publish a list of the main economic difficulties confronting them in addition to selective employment tax.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyI have been asked to reply.
101WThe information requested in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part, a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. John Bolton is at present examining the rôle of small firms in the national economy and the problems confronting them, and I expect to receive its report in the latter part of next year.