§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government have now reached a decision on the future of the Co-operative Development Agency.
§ Mr. TrippierYes. The Government have decided that their funding of the agency should continue for a further six years, at the present level of £200,000 per annum. the Government also propose to give the agency limited additional powers to enable it to maximise its own earning powers and to seek further support from the private sector.
I recognise the agency's potential for continued promotion of industrial co-operatives and the contribution that such co-operatives can make to employment and job ownership.
A Bill to implement these changes will be introduced in Parliament this Session.