§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Equal Opportunities Commission is taking to assist employment by small businesses. [14745]
§ Mrs. GillanThe Equal Opportunities Commission is well aware of the importance of small businesses to the country's economic success and wishes to ensure that they understand the positive benefits which result from equal opportunity policy and practice. The commission has established a working party which has held discussions with organisations representing small and medium-sized businesses. The commission contributed to the Department's publication "Equality Pays", which is targeted at such businesses.