HC Deb 27 February 1985 vol 74 cc186-7W
22. Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the net number of small businesses established in the last 12-month period for which figures are available.

Mr. Trippier

Figures for 1980 to 1983 were published in an article inBritish Business, copies of which were placed in the Library. These show that in 1983 there was a net surplus of 42,564 businesses.

49. Mr. Sayeed

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he is doing to encourage small firms to accept equity injections rather than loans to cover their needs for risk capital.

Mr. Trippier

The business expansion scheme continues to provide a major incentive to the development of equity finance and I am looking at ways of encouraging small firms to make full use of this source of funds. In addition, the importance of equity finance to small firms has been stressed in the help for growing businesses seminars which my Department has sponsored over the past year.

51. Mr. Ashdown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has yet received the conclusions of the interdepartmental scrutiny of the administrative and legislative burdens placed on small firms.

Mr. Trippier

I have received the central report of the scrutiny team, based on studies in seven Departments of regulatory burdens on small businesses. I am considering how this should be followed up and will make a further announcement in due course.

56. Mr. Carttiss

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a statement about the scrutiny of administrative and legislative burdens on small firms.

Mr. Trippier

I have received the central report of the scrutiny team based on studies in seven Departments of regulatory burdens on small businesses. I am considering how this should be followed up and will make a further announcement in due course.