HC Deb 20 February 1996 vol 272 c55W
Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is on the working party on financial management; how often it will meet; when its first meeting will be; and what is its remit. [15593]

Mrs. Angela Knight

The private sector-led group includes representatives of small firms organisations, accountancy bodies, banks and academia. The first meeting was held on 12 February and the group will meet as and when required in order to fulfil its remit. The group is considering whether it can identify ways of improving financial management in small firms.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions his Department has come to with regard to the financial management certificate following the consultation period. [15594]

Mrs. Knight

Almost all the respondents were of the view that financial management within small firms was a significant problem, but a majority of small firms' representatives expressed concerns that a financial management certificate could impose an additional burden on small businesses. There was, however, considerable support for the idea of having a working group to look at other solutions to the problem, and this has been set up.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the submissions his Department received on a financial management certificate. [15595]

Mrs. Knight

I have arranged for respondents to the consultation document to be contacted for their agreement to the publication of their replies.