§ 28. Mr. Alun MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to encourage the establishment and development of small businesses in Wales.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerMy Department continues to encourage small businesses in Wales through implementing national policies such as deregulation and by schemes such as the gateway network and enterprise Wales which facilitate access to high-quality advice, information and 37W other forms of assistance. We have also continued to support enterprise agencies which, in Wales, have received assistance of over £9.7 million from my Department, the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales.