§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list those measures introduced by his Department within the past year and intended to be of benefit to small businesses.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerMy Department is committed to the initiatives outlined in the recent White Paper "BUILDING BUSINESSES … NOT BARRIERS" (Cmnd. 9794), which will be a major contribution to the Government's support for small business. I have several ongoing activities which are of benefit to small as well as large business—for example:
- The Offshore Supplies Office is developing business opportunities for British companies engaged in the oil and gas industry.
- Grants are made available under the energy survey scheme and many small firms have taken advantage of them. In addition, specific advice is provided for small business on the efficient use of energy.
- My Department funds the coal firing scheme.
- General advice and help to United Kingdom businesses, often small, in relation to EEC grants for energy R and D demonstration projects.
During the last year we have
- issued an improved brochure describing the activities of the Offshore Supplies Office and providing contacts relevant to the offshore industry;
- held a series of seminars on export opportunities for the offshore industry;
- publicised and distributed details of the latest
268 invitation for EEC funding for Community technology development projects in the hydrocarbons sector, which, for the first time, is giving preference to small and medium sized companies; - circulated for consultation draft electricity supply regulations which consolidate and simplify existing statutory requirements;
- extended the coal firing scheme to 30 June 1987, removed the ceiling on the funds available, and issued an introductory leaflet about the scheme.