HC Deb 17 January 1989 vol 145 c176W
37. Mr. Marland

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many counselling sessions were provided by the small firms service during the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

In 1987–88 the small firms service in England conducted 39,138 counselling sessions.

57. Mr. Franks

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the director general of the Confederation of British Industry to discuss the development of small businesses.

Mr. Cope

My right hon. Friend and I are in regular contact with the CBI to discuss issues affecting small firms and other matters.

59. Mr. Moss

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet the British Venture Capital Association to discuss the development of small businesses.

Mr. Cope

I met Mr. John Nash, chairman of the British Venture Capital Association when I opened the BVCA financial forum on 1 December. I have no immediate plans to meet representatives from the BVCA again in the near future but I do have regular contact with the association.

Mr. Andrew Welsh

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to provide the House with an annual report on the state of small businesses in Britain.

Mr. Cope

The annual report of the small firms service is published and is also sent to hon. Members and placed in the Library each year.

Consideration is being given to the possibility of including in the report in future material covering a wider range of small firm's matters. Reports and discussions on various aspects of small businesses appear in the Employment Gazette.