HC Deb 06 February 1984 vol 53 cc468-9W
Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what consultations he has had with the Development Commission regarding its plans to provide support for village shopkeepers from public funds;

(2) what consultations he has had with the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas regarding its plans to provide support for village shopkeepers from public funds.

Mr. Waldegrave

The general guidelines within which the Development Commission operate to provide assistance to small rural firms are laid down by my right hon. Friend. Following a review of the Development Commission's activities, and that of its agent COSIRA, the Minister for Planning and Local Government announced in March 1982 that COSIRA' s existing advisory and credit services could be made available to small local retailers. A review of the effect of past initiatives to assist village shops is being carried out jointly by my Department and the commission, in order to help determine the most appropriate type of assistance.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will take steps to ensure that any decision by the Development Commission to provide support for village shopkeepers out of public funds does not distort fair trade, inhibit competition or in any way discriminate unfairly in favour of or against any type, class or chain of village shops;

(2) if he will take steps to ensure that any decision by the Council Small Industries in Rural Areas to provide support for village shopkeepers out of public funds does not distort fair trade, inhibit compettion or in any way discriminate unfairly in favour of or against any type, class or chain of village shops.

Mr. Waldegrave

A modest consultancy service is made available to shops in rural areas whose closure would have severe repercussions on their local communities. In collaboration with the private sector, training schemes aimed particularly at the would-be village shopkeeper, are being promoted, but will be unsubsidised. Any loans made by COSIRA to retailers are at commercial rates.

I am satisfied that the commission, and COSIRA as its agent, are well aware of the need to act equitably in any scheme they undertake.