§ Mr. KnapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new businesses are being created every week; and what was the position in the same period 10 years ago.
§ Mr. Tim EggarIn 1988, the latest year for which figures have been published, the net increase in the number of VAT-registered businesses was 64,000, an average of just over 1,200 per week. In 1980, the net increase was 16,000, an average of 300 per week.