HC Deb 06 March 1978 vol 945 cc457-8W
52. Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received on the financing of small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lever

I have received a large number and a wide variety of suggestions, and I am considering them carefully. In addition, there are two committees looking at this matter in a wider context, one chaired by my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Sir H. Wilson) and the other by Lord Roll. I look forward with interest to seeing their conclusions.

53. Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what items of positive discrimination in favour of small businesses have been introduced since September 1977; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lever

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last October a substantial group of measures aimed specifically at helping smaller businesses. I am pressing on with work towards further measures, with much welcome encouragement from the hon. Member and his colleagues in the Liberal Party.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he considers positive discrimination in favour of small businesses to be appropriate at the present time.

Mr. Lever

If positive discrimination means taking special measures to help and encourage small firms, I am certainly in favour of it. We have already taken some measures of this kind and there are more to come.

Mr. Geraint Howells

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any plans to help small firms employing less than 20 employees; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lever

I am conscious of the special needs of the very small firm, and I will have these firmly in mind in my continuing study of the measures required to encourage and assist small firms generally.