§ Mr. SteenTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the measures he is taking to assist small businesses and individual traders in the light of the current economic climate.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 8 February 1993]: My Department operates the following measures of support:
- the Enterprise Initiative Consultancy Scheme;
- the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme;
- the Small Firms Merit Award for Research and Technology;
- Support for Products under Research;
- Regional Enterprise Grants;
- the Export Marketing Research Scheme;
- Your Business Success;
- Graduate Enterprise;
My Department also provides funding for development work which aims to benefit small firms and individual traders and produces a wide range of publications.
My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has been charged by the Prime Minister with driving 568W forward a new initiative to cut red tape across Whitehall. The aim of this work is to cut significantly the burdens on business of all sizes, but especially small businesses.
During 1993 my Department will start support for up to 15 pilot schemes which will provide businesses with a single point of access to information and advice.
From April 1993 my Department will take over responsibility from the Employment Department for funding training and enterprise councils (TECs) to provide a wide range of business support services to help small business.