§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Industry what consultation he has had with the Institute of Directors regarding its small businesses scheme; if he is satisfied with the success of the scheme; and what lessons his Department has learnt from its operation.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe Institute of Directors undertakes a number of activities of relevance to small firms. TheBusiness Investment Digest launched in October has been welcomed by the Prime Minister as a timely initiative which complements the measures the Government have introduced to stimulate investment in small businesses. The Digest is still in its early days but we are watching its development with interest. Arrangements have just been concluded to refer clients to the Department's small firms service, in appropriate cases, to the Institute's non-executive director appointments service as a source of long-term management expertise. Again this development is too recent for its value to be assessed.