34. Mr. Andy Stewartasked the Secretary of State forTrade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current availability of funding for small businesses.
§ Mr. TrippierMost funding for small businesses comes from the banks and other financial institutions, which have taken a number of initiatives in recent years to improve the range and availability of funds. Government incentives, notably the loan guarantee scheme and the business expansion scheme, have also assisted in extending the finance available to small firms from both institutions and individuals.