HC Deb 22 January 1996 vol 270 cc4-5W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to bring about a business link in East Lancashire. [10634]

Mr. Richard Page

The chairman of the business link national assessment panel had detailed discussions with the chairman of the East Lancashire training and enterprise council about its proposals for a business link in East Lancashire. Those proposals were considered by the assessment panel in December, which concluded that they needed to be developed further in conjunction with other partners.

The Government office for the north west has convened a series of meeting with ELTEC, the local chamber of commerce and the local authorities concerned. This has led to the establishment of a working group involving all partners and the Government Office, that is committed to developing an agreed bid for consideration by the assessment panel.

Mrs. Roche

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the average number of clients held by personal business advisers in business links; and what is the largest and smallest number of clients. [10415]

Mr. Page

Our latest information indicates that the average case load of a personal business adviser is around 40 clients. Most have between 21. and 50; none are known to have more than 100.