HC Deb 12 January 1976 vol 903 cc30-1W
Mrs. Winifred Ewing

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received concerning the problems of the self-employed; and what steps he is proposing to take to deal with their problems, particularly in areas in which rural communities are suffering from depopulation on an increasing scale.

Mr. Joel Barnett

My hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury received on my right hon. Friend's behalf a deputation from the National Federation of Self-Employed as recently as 26th November. As far as they involve my right hon. Friend's Departmental responsibilities, he naturally keeps the interest of the self-employed in mind, but he has no immediate proposals to introduce measures specifically to benefit the self-employed as such.