§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Prime Minister what steps Her Majesty's Government take to ensure that information of the Government's measures to encourage the start-up of new businesses by the unemployed is available at jobcentres.
§ The Prime MinisterThe only measure designed specifically to help unemployed people start up in business is the enterprise allowance scheme, which is currently being tested in five pilot areas. In these areas the scheme is well publicised and full information and advice is available in all relevant jobcentres. In the rest of the country, instructions have been issued to jobcentres to enable staff to answer general enquiries about the scheme.
Jobcentres also use posters and leaflets to make available information about the various measures run by the Department of Industry and the Scottish and Welsh development agencies to encourage and assist the start-up of new businesses, and about the training courses run by the Manpower Services Commission itself to assist would-be small businessmen.