§ Mr. MacKenzieasked the Paymaster General (1) how many small firms, by Bolton committee definition, went out of business in each region of the United Kingdom during the course of the last 12 months;
(2) how many small firms, by Bolton committee definition, presently exist in each region of the United Kingdom;
482W(3) how many small firms, by Bolton committee definition, were set up in each region of the United Kingdom during the course of the last 12 months to the latest convenient date.
§ Mr. TrippierI regret that the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. MacKenzieasked the Paymaster General if he will publish in the Official Report the full list of Government schemes which exist to assist small firms; when each scheme started; and when it is due to finish.
§ Mr. TrippierFollowing are those national schemes currently in existence which were specifically introduced to be of direct benefit to small firms. There are many other measures which small firms can usefully take advantage of including some that are specific to particular areas of the United Kingdom.
Information and advice on any Government scheme is readily available through a wide range of advisory bodies including the Government's small firms service and the local enterprise agency network.
Loan Guarantee Scheme
Under this scheme, introduced in 1981, over 16,630 guarantees have been issued in respect of over £540 million in bank loans. The scheme has proved to have a considerable job creation potential both in numbers and cost effectiveness. The life of the scheme was extended in the 1986 budget for three years and the premium rate halved to 2.5 per cent. to make it more popular. Appraisal and monitoring requirements have been introduced and better financial management encouraged to improve the survival rate of scheme borrowers.Business Expansion Scheme
This scheme was introduced in April 1983 to enlarge and improve upon the business start up scheme (introduced in 1981). In this year's Budget, BES was extended indefinitely and the scheme's coverage was also changed to aim it better at genuine risk investment.Training for Enterprise
The Manpower Services Commission first introduced this on-going scheme in 1977. It has subsequently been expanded considerably and the number of people expected to benefit in 1986–87 is over 46,000 compared with 32 in 1977.Enterprise Allowance Scheme
The Manpower Services Commission first introduced this scheme in 1982. It has since been expanded to provide 65,000 places in 1985–86 and 86,000 places in 1986–87. The 13 week qualifying period of unemployment has been reduced to eight weeks whilst greater emphasis is now being given to counselling and training for applicants.Business and Technical Advisory Services
The Department of Trade and Industry launched this package of schemes in April 1985. This is an on-going programme aimed at providing subsidised consultancy to small and medium-sized firms.Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology (SMART)
SMART was announced in April this year. This competitive scheme is being introduced on a one year trial basis in the areas of biotechnology and instrumentation and aims to encourage small firms and potential entrepreneurs to bring forward highly innovative ideas that cannot attract existing sources of funding.