HC Deb 05 July 1988 vol 136 cc549-50W
154. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inquiries were received by the small firms service in 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.

26. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the progress of the small firms service.

Mr. Cope

The achievements of the small firms service in 1987–88 are set out in its annual report, published today. A copy will be sent to all hon. Members.

48. Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to meet the president of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to discuss the creation of small firms; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

I met a delegation from the Association of British Chambers of Commerce on 30 June to discuss a range of issues including those relating to small firms.

133. Mr. Bright

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the annual report 1987–88 of the small firms service.

Mr. Cope

I have today announced the publication of the 1987–88 annual report of the small firms service. A copy is being sent to all hon. Members.

153. Mrs. Maureen Hicks

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many guarantees have been given by his Department under the loan guarantee scheme to small firms; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

Since 1981 over 19,600 guaranteed loans to a value of £650 million have been given to small firms under the loan guarantee scheme. Following the introduction in January this year of simplified administrative procedures for loans up to £15,000 the rate of applications has doubled and is now running at over 200 a month. An increase in the guarantee to 85 per cent. for businesses in inner city task force areas was recently announced and I hope that this change will also lead to greater usage of the scheme.

155. Mr. Wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to meet the director general of the Institute of Directors to discuss the development of small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

I have no immediate plans to meet the director general of the Institute of Directors, although both I and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have done so on many occasions.

156. Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what contribution is being made to the Government's inner city initiative by the small firms service; and if he will make a statement.

156. Mr. Cope

The small firms service offers a comprehensive national information and counselling service for those running small businesses or wishing to start their own business. This includes over 39,000 counselling sessions in 1987–88 of which more than a quarter were in inner cities. The small firms service also maintains very close links with other organisations offering services to small businesses such as local enterprise agencies.

As part of the action for cities initiative, announced by the Prime Minister on 7 March, the small firms service contribution in inner city areas is being considerably increased with the opening of six new offices in Blackburn. Derby, Leicester, Middlesborough, Sheffield and Wolverhampton; and the appointment of specialist business advisers to work in the local small business community, particularly with ethnic minority businesses.