§ Mr. SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Government have any plans to establish a national network of advice centres.
§ Mr. ForthNo. However my Department funds by means of grant-aid the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, and Citizens Advice Scotland which provide administrative, training and other services to the national network of over 1,000 citizens advice bureaux. This funding amounts to nearly £10 million per annum for England and Wales, and some £1 million for Scotland.
My Department has a network of 37 regional offices and sub-offices in England which give advice on its activities, and a number of other Government Departments also have regional networks.