§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what further action is being taken in the help to small businesses provided under the small firms counselling service.
§ Mr. CryerDevelopment of the Small Firms Counselling Service is kept under constant review by my officials and it has been decided that in exceptional cir-470W cumstances, firms may receive counselling advice for periods in excess of the 10 days maximum in any one year under the scheme as it at present stands. I emphasise that such occasions will be rare and will arise only where it is clear that extra counselling for particular firms would put their development in terms of growth, output and profitability on a firmer footing.