§ Mr. Redmondasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are to be the locations of the first small firms centres; what staff will be involved; what are their terms of reference; and what will be the total cost per annum of the centres.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantTen centres in all are planned and will be in Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Nottingham. Each will have a staff of three, and the first will probably be in Birmingham. They are to identify and report on difficulties being experienced by small firms, assist small firms approaching the centre to get in touch with appropriate sources of help and advice, and make contact with local sources of advice and encourage them to help small firms. They will also represent the Department at meetings and functions concerned with the small firm sector.
The total cost for a full year is estimated at £350,000.