§ 22. Mr. Neil Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the help and advice provided by his Department on technological matters to small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierYes. The Department of Trade and Industry provides small firms with help and advice on a wide range of technological matters through the small firms technical enquiry service (SFTES). This service provides up to five man-days of advice and consultancy. The first day is free; firms pay 25 per cent. of the cost of the remaining four days.
Small firms can receive additional advice on microelectronics applications, advanced manufacturing technology and biotechnology through services specialising in these topics. On these subjects the first two-man days of assistance are free. Thereafter the firm contributes 25 per cent. of the cost subject to an overall maximum cost to DTI of £2,500, including the cost of the two free days.
§ 27. Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure co-operation between the small firms service and other sources of advice for small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierThe small firms service actively cooperates with other organisations providing advice co small firms. There is joint publicity with some enterprise agencies and COSIRA. Extensive use is made by other support organisations of the small firms service publications. Some counselling now takes place from enterprise agency premises. I am actively encouraging such co-operation.
§ 29. Mr. Favellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small firms have been established in the last three years.
§ Mr. TrippierThere were just under 490,000 business start-ups in the three-year period 1981 to 1983. Figures for 1984 are not yet available.
§ 31. Mr. Carttissasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the conclusions of the interdepartmental scrutiny of the administrative and legislative burdens placed on small firms.
§ Mr. TrippierI expect to receive the scrutiny team's conclusions next month.
§ 55. Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is content with the amount of investment in small firms as a result of the business expansion scheme.
§ Mr. TrippierI am very pleased with the figures reported so far. During 1983–84 more than 400 small companies raised over £75 million from 10,000 investors. At least £41 million of this went to very young or start-up companies.
Of course, I would like to see still more small companies and individual investors taking advantage of the scheme.