§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on the achievements of(a) his policies and (b) his Department in helping small businesses over the last 12 months as against 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. SproatThe Government continue to help small businesses through improvements to the business climate, through deregulation and through specific programmes of support and assistance.
My Department has been an active participant in the Government's deregulation initiative. It is undertaking a thorough review of the impact of regulations, from whatever source, on the business sectors in which it has a policy interest, and I have recently commissioned a report on deregulation and the tourism industry, which includes a large number of small businesses. The Department will undertake a risk analysis and full compliance cost assessment before putting forward any new regulatory measures which might affect business, and aims to maintain and improve its links and consultation arrangements with businesses operating within the areas where I have a policy interest.
The Department's fundamental review of the public library service will reflect the extent to which public libraries play a key role in the provision of information for small businesses.
Businesses of various sizes have been successful in tendering competitively for the provision of contracted out services, in supplies and works for the Department, its agencies and its non-departmental public bodies.