§ 4. Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to improve relationships between business links chairmen and his Department. [36068]
§ Mr. PageMy Department has good relationships with business links chairmen. The starting point has been our common commitment to the success of business links in strengthening the competitiveness of local businesses. As the business links network has developed the relationship has been strengthened by good communication links with chairmen and I will ensure that this continues.
§ 22. Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), of 17 June,Official Report, column 318, if he will make a statement on the proportion of business links chairmen who defined their relations with his Department as poor. [36089]
§ Mr. PageThe survey of chairmen and chief executives of business links was undertaken on their behalf and funded by my Department.
The majority of business links chairmen and chief executives said that their relationships with my Department were good.
§ 25. Mr. HunterTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what statistics he collects on the use of business links(a) nationally and (b) in the south of England. [36092]
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§ Mr. PageThe Department of Trade and Industry collects information on the number of businesses using business links, and the services they use, both nationally and regionally.
National statistics on businesses using business links are available in the quarterly "Reports on Business Link and Business Link Regional Supply Network Management Information". A copy was placed in the Library of the House on June 29.