HC Deb 23 May 1994 vol 244 c49W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when he last met small business represen-tatives to discuss the working of Barnsley-Doncaster TEC; when is his next meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, regularly meets training and enterprise directors, many of whom represent small businesses. He also recently met the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business to discuss the work of TECs.

My right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, has overall responsibility for the Government's relations with business and has regular contact with its representative organisations.