HC Deb 29 November 1971 vol 827 cc9-11W
Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he is taking to secure the views of small firms on the future of the Industrial Liaison Service; whether he intends to commission further independent assessments of the work of the Industrial Liaison Service; and what judgment he has made of the extent to which the economic benefit to the nation from the Industrial Liaison Service has been greater than its cost.

Mr. Ridley

Careful study of the Bolton Committee's recommendation is proceeding. The matters raised by the right hon. Gentleman are among those which will be considered.

Mr. Dell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date he expects to be able to announce his decision regarding future Government financial support for the Industrial Liaison Service; and to what date existing Government financial support is now guaranteed.

Mr. Ridley

As soon as possible; the further year's support is for the financial year 1972–73.

Mr. Marks

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether he has now considered the recommendation of the Bolton Committee on Small Firms (Command Paper Number 4811) that the Industrial Liaison Service should be replaced by a network of small firms advisory bureaux; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is his estimate of the cost of replacing the Industrial Liaison Service by advisory bureaux, as recommended in the Bolton Report (Command Paper Number 4811).

Mr. Ridley

I do not interpret the Committee's recommendations as envisaging a mere replacement of the Industrial Liaison Service by the proposed Bureaux. My right hon. Friend announced on 3rd November that provision to support the Industrial Liaison Service had been extended for a further year to give time for full consideration of the recommendation. That consideration is now proceeding. No estimate of the cost of the proposed Bureaux has yet been made.

Mr. Marks

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will examine the assessment of the cost effectiveness of the Industrial Liaison Service made for the Ministry of Technology by Associated Industrial Consultants Limited in 1969; and if he will take this into consideration before replacing the service.

Mr. Ridley

I am aware of the assessment; it will be taken into account as appropriate.