§ 36. Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to increase the level of advice on marketing available to small firms from his Department.
§ Mr. TrippierOn 26 November I launched a new package of assistance for small firms in English areas affected by job losses in the steel, shipbuilding and textile industries. The package—known as business improvement services (BIS)—includes grants towards the cost of consultancy advice on developing a marketing strategy. There are also grants for specific market research and for translations of market information and sales literature. Copies of the publicity leaflets for BIS have been placed in the Library.
The British Overseas Trade Board provides a range of assistance which can help the smaller exporter with marketing overseas.
§ 56. Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to reduce the level of Government-imposed burdens on small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierProgress has already been made in reducing the level of Government-imposed burdens on small firms. An inter-departmental scrutiny is now being carried out on administrative and legislative burdens and will report in January 1985. I hope this will result in recommendations for further reductions in burdens, to which this Government attach great importance.
§ 61. Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to inform professional advisers about the help available to small firms through Government schemes.
§ Mr. TrippierMy Department is sponsoring further seminars in the "Help for Growing Businesses" series early in 1985. These will be held at 50 venues throughout England and Wales to stress the importance of business planning and financial control in small firms and will also provide an opportunity to inform professional advisers about relevent changes to Government schemes and new initiatives.
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§ 63. Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to improve management education and training in small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierMy Department seeks to stimulate the provision of management education and training for small firms which is both accessible and appropriate to their particular needs. Those running small firms can take advantage of the many courses offered by educational establishments, including the enterprise training funded by the Manpower Services Commission which is being increased. I am encouraging awareness of the value of training and my Department will be running a Local Enterprise Week in May 1985 which will give it prominence. Linked to the May event will be the launch of a video sponsored by my Department and the MSC to stimulate small firms to undertake training.