§ Mrs. Rumboldasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures his Department has taken to encourage the setting up of small businesses in the period since October 1983.
§ Dr. BoysonThe Department of Economic Development has continued to support the work of the Local Enterprise Development Unit, which was established in 1971 to provide comprehensive support for small businesses in Northern Ireland. In the last financial year the unit promoted a record number of 3,658 jobs, and this success has continued in the present financial year. In addition the unit has increased and re-organised its staff to deal with its growing work load. Moreover, in November 1983 it launched a local enterprise programme, to stimulate local enterprise by assisting local enterprise agencies to provide workshops and support for new small business ventures.