§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the total number of inquiries per month received by each of the 10 small firms information service centres since their conception; how many staff are presently employed at each centre; and what has been the total cost to public funds of running this service.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieFrom the opening of the first of the 10 centres in July 1973 until the commencement of a national advertising campaign in March 1975, the average number of inquiries received by each centre per month was 295. During the period March 1975 to December 1975 the average inquiry rate per centre per month has risen to 580.
Three staff are employed at each centre except in London where four are employed.
The total cost of the service to public funds to the end of 1975–76 financial year will have been £1,224,000 of which capital costs were £222,000.