§ 24. Mr. Wakehamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how he proposes to assist small businesses in inner urban areas.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Inner Urban Areas Bill will enable selected local authorities with inner area problems to give grants and Ioans to promote employment. This will particularly help small businesses. Secondly, I have encouraged each inner city partnership committee to consider how best to involve the local business community. Thirdly, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and I asked all local authorities last year to review and, where necessary, change policies that affect businesses, particularly small ones, and drew special attention to the needs of inner areas. Fourthly, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment has extended the small firms employment subsidy to apply to partnership areas outside the assisted areas.
§ 36. Mr. Tim Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has to encourage the growth of small businesses in inner urban areas.
§ 49. Mr. Arthur Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to encourage the development of small businesses in inner urban areas.
§ Mr. ShoreI refer the hon. Members to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Wakeham).