§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what initiatives he has taken to ensure that his Department encourages training and enterprise councils in their policies for the development of local enterprise.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy Department is working closely with training and enterprise councils to develop effective business support measures and to help develop the competitiveness of local businesses. In particular, I have asked the TECs to take the lead in bringing together local partnerships to establish a network of business links in England which will provide a single point of access to a wide range of high quality business advice and support services. Together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment, I will shortly be publishing strategic guidance for TECs which will emphasise, among others, the importance of developing effective plans for enterprise and ensuring that they mesh into wider programmes of action to improve competitiveness.