§ Mr. Blairasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list which representative groups from the small business sector he or his Treasury colleagues have met, or intend to meet, concerning Budget representations.
§ Mr. BrookeTreasury Ministers have met several organisations representing the small business sector, including the CBI Small Firms Council, and the Union of Independent Companies, to discuss their Budget submissions. No further meetings between Treasury Ministers and the small business sector are at present planned. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Employment, who is responsible for the small business sector, has also had similar meetings with most of the major small business organisations.