§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will report on the counselling activities of the small firms service.
§ Mr. TrippierI am pleased to congratulate the counselling activities of the small firms service and indeed the service itself on another highly commendable year of increased activity. Almost 20,000 counselling sessions were given on nearly 16,000 cases in the year ending 31 March 1983; and over 250,000 requests for information were answered. The service also continued to strengthen its links with other organisations in tie private and public sectors who also provide advice to small businesses. Cooperation with CoSIRA has been increased following the experiment on joint management of the advisory services of the two organisations; and counsellors have also contributed significantly to the pilot enterprise allowance scheme.
As required by section 18(3) of the Industry Act 1980 and subsequently, section 11(2) of the Industrial Development Act 1982 a report on the counselling activity of the small firms service covering the period 1 April 1982 to 31 March 1983 has been laid and a copy placed in the Library.