HC Deb 13 February 1990 vol 167 cc200-1W
15. Mr. Tim Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any information about the growth of the small business sector in 1989.

Mr. Eggar

Early indications are that there was a net increase of some 80,000 businesses registered for VAT in 1989. This compares with an increase of 64,000 in 1988.

57. Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his latest estimate of the number of jobs created annually by small firms.

Mr. Nicholls

The latest research commissioned by my Department estimates that between 1985 and 1987, firms employing between five and 19 people created 290,000 additional jobs, compared with just 20,000 in larger firms.