HC Deb 25 March 1996 vol 274 cc446-7W
18. Mr. Ainger

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what contribution his Department made to the Government initiative on small businesses. [20698]

Mr. Freeman

A package of new deregulation measures for small businesses was announced at the "Your Business Matters" conference on 11 March. These measures, which include new rights for business in enforcement actions and a prototype IT system to provide information about forms and regulations, have been widely welcomed by business.

19. Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to co-ordinate more effectively the presentation of Government policy towards small businesses. [20699]

Mr. Willetts

Last year, the Prime Minister asked the Institute of Directors and other business organisations to organise a series of small business conferences, so that small businesses could give their views on Government policies and their presentation. At the final conference on 11 March, the Prime Minister announced further measures to help small firms and said that the Government would respond in full to these conferences in the third White Paper on competitiveness in the summer.