HC Deb 25 October 1988 vol 139 cc186-7W
34. Mr. Batiste

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many inquiries were dealt with by the small firms service during the last 12 months.

40. Mr. Bellingham

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

124. Mr. David Shaw

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

Mr. Cope

In 1987–88 the small firms service answered 266,000 inquiries, helped over 27,000 small businesses by counxelling, and held over 39,000 counselling sessions.

The service continues to increase its links with, and support for, other agencies in the small firms support network. Its database of national information is now available to agencies and others for their own use in advising clients.

The service has opened six new inner city offices and is appointing inner city business advisers, to promote self-employment and small business development in inner city areas. In December 1987, as part of a European Commission initiative, the service opened a centre for European business information.

Further details of the service's achievements are contained in the small firms service 1987–88 annual report, which was circulated to all hon. Members and placed in the House of Commons Library.

118. Mr. John Greenway

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations he has received following the publication of the 1987–88 small firms service report; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The 1987–88 annual report of the small firms service was published on 5 July, and was circulated widely to Members of Parliament, major banks, accountants, solicitors, local enterprise agencies and other business organisations and individuals. Many of them have and commented favourably on its content and the work of the small firms service.