§ Mr. Geraint HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken in Wales by his Department to help small businesses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntMy Department continues to attach a high priority to the promotion of enterprise and to helping small businesses. General economic policies at a national level, national enterprise support policies and initiatives404W that are unique to Wales such as the Enterprise Wales scheme are all helping to make Wales a place where small businesses can flourish. In Wales the latest annual figures —most recently published in July 1990—show that by the end of 1989 the total number of businesses registered for VAT was nearly 85,200, an increase of 21 per cent. on the stock of businesses at the end of 1979.