HC Deb 11 November 1976 vol 919 c263W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will reconstitute the Bolton Committee of Inquiry which reported on small businesses in November 1971 and invite it to give its views on how the small firms have fared since the writing of the report and for any revised recommendations.

Mr. Les Huckfield

No. The position of small firms is kept under continuous review and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by having a special review at the present time, though I shall keep the possibility in mind.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many separate firms have been eliminated or absorbed through the nationalisation of industries taken over since 1946; and what is his policy towards the further general concentration of British industry through Government action.

Mr. Les Huckfield

This information cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate costs.