§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will detail the provision being made for providing help and advice for co-operatives and for people wishing to set up co-operatives in 1986–87; and what provision is being made for the future funding of co-operative development agencies in the Greater London area presently funded by the Greater London Council.
§ Mr. Trippier[pursuant to his reply, 22 July 1985]: The national Co-operative Development Agency, which is funded by my Department, will continue to provide help and advice to co-operatives and people wishing to set up co-operatives in 1986–87. In addition, co-operatives will be entitled to whatever DTI assistance is available to 573W business generally since no distinction is made in schemes of assistance between co-operatives and other small businesses.
We have no plans to fund local co-operative development agencies in the Greater London area or elsewhere.