§ Mr. BatesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of those enterprises started under the business start-up scheme are still trading after three years.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe business start-up scheme has not been operational long enough to give the information asked for. The business start-up scheme replaced the enterprise allowance scheme and only came into operation in April 1991. The full results of a survey of those starting the scheme in May 1991 is to be published later this year. This shows that 71 per cent. were still operating the same business 18 months after starting.