§ 26. Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Scottish economy depends on small businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Sillars) on 5th August 1976—[Vol. 916, c. 953–41—giving provisional estimates, since confirmed, of employees in employment in small businesses. The Government fully recognise the important contribution of small businesses to the Scottish economy, and their rôle in providing the starting point for the growth of the new enterprises which are of great importance to Scottish industrial development.