§ 78. Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average weekly increase in the number of small businesses created over the last three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. EggarIn 1988, the latest year for which figures have been published by my Department, the net increase in the number of VAT-registered businesses averaged just over 1,200 per week. This compares with 800 a week in 1987 and 500 a week in 1986. Early indications from data collected by HM Customs and Excise are that there was a net increase in 1989 of 1,500 a week on average.