HC Deb 06 July 1989 vol 156 c231W
60. Mr. Brazier

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

82. Mr. David Davis

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

163. Mr. Dunn

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the number of business start-ups per week in net terms in 1988–89; and what were the comparable figures in 1987–88.

Mr. Major

In the calendar year 1987, the latest for which figures have been published by the Department of Employment, the net increases in the number of businesses registered for VAT was 45,000 an average of nearly 900 a week. The figures for 1988 will be available later in the summer. However, the unadjusted Customs and Excise figures suggest that the rate of increase since 1987 has been even faster, and the net increase in the financial year 1988–89 may have amounted to some 1,300 per week.