§ 5. Mrs. McCurleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of new businesses which have been started in the Inverclyde district and Renfrew district since 1983; and if he will make a statement on the implications for the economic development of the area.
§ Mr. Allan StewartComprehensive estimates for new business start-ups in the two districts are not available, but between 1983 and 1985 over 15,000 new companies were registered in Scotland as a whole. The growth of small businesses is an essential part of the economic development of any local area and it is encouraging that the SDA Inverclyde initiative team and the Paisley and Renfrew enterprise trust although, still in their early days, have handled a large number of inquiries from existing small companies and potential new start-ups.