§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has given any advice to small firms as to the powers which local authorities and central Government Departments have in relation to small firms.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantIn response to requests, my Small Firms Division helps small firms to obtain information about legislation or powers which may apply to them. The main function of the small firms information centres, which are being set up, will be to direct inquirers to sources of advice on this and other matters. The division does not, however, intervene in matters which are the statutory or sponsorship responsibility of other divisions or Departments or interfere with existing lines of communication between firms and individual Departments.