§ Sir John Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the number of new firms started in the Province compares with the number which have gone out of business.
§ Mr. David Mitchell:I regret that information is not available on the total number of new firms and of closures in all sectors in Northern Ireland. However, the number of firms paying and of firms ceasing to pay VAT shows over the past two years 5,500 new firms compared with 4,100 going out of business in Northern Ireland.