§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the achievements of his Department and his policies in helping small businesses over the last 12 months relative to the previous 12 months; and if he will publish the performance indicators by which his Department monitors those achievements and the statistical results of such monitoring.
§ Mr. HowardMy Department places a high priority on removing unnecessary burdens from small businesses, particularly in inner cities, where a key aim is to encourage new employment. We have already tackled bureaucracy in our main inner city programmes. For city challenge, we have abolished 80 pages of forms, in streamlining the provision of Government grant and increased the Government contribution on revenue projects from 75 to 90 per cent. I have today announced the 20 city challenge areas which will each receive £37.5 million over five years to support integrated programmes of urban renewal. These will include projects which directly help small business, such as the provision of premises and infrastructure.
In April 1992, the Planning Inspectorate executive agency instituted performance targets for prompt handling of planning appeals, including those from small 1041W businesses. This autumn the existing procedures for simplified planning zones are to be streamlined when the relevant provisions in the Planning and Compensation Act 1991 come into force.
In partnership with the Department of Industry, my Department is exploring how local authorities can assist industry to comply with regulation, by improving consistency in enforcement. On 30 June, the Government launched a pilot project to establish partnerships between local authorities and local businesses in nine areas across the country, improving communications and clarifying the role of the regulatory authority.