HC Deb 14 January 1993 vol 216 cc781-2W
Mr. Peter Atkinson

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the net number of new businesses in the north-east for each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Leigh

The available information for the northern region—Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Cumbria, Durham and Cleveland—based on VAT data, is given in the table. During the period 1987 to 1991 the number of businesses registered for VAT in the northern region increased by 6,800.

Mr. Eggar

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Ceredigion and Pembroke, North (Mr. Dafis) on 16 November,Official Report, column 69.