§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the visit to Basildon on 13 March by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for small businesses, the hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen (Mr. Trippier).
§ Mr. TrippierI was most grateful to my hon. Friend for affording me the opportunity to visit his constituency on 13 March. During the course of the day I visited a number of small firms and was most impressed with the enterprise and initiative which I saw in a number of sectors, ranging from advanced robotics to shopfitting. I believe that these small entrepreneurs will play a vital role in supporting Basildon's future economic prosperity and will continue to make a major contribution to the creation of new jobs.
I was also particularly pleased to meet some of the directors of Basildon Enterprise Agency and to learn that the agency is performing well in encouraging the establishment and growth of small firms in the area. I know that my hon. Friend is a great supporter of the agency.