HC Deb 15 May 2000 vol 350 c27W
Mr. Pollard

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to improve access to finance for small businesses through the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. [122074]

Ms Hewitt

David Irwin, Chief Executive of the Small Business Service, will be taking a close look at the problems faced by small businesses in accessing finance and what improvements might be made to existing forms of financial support provided by the Small Business Service, including the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme. To assist this work the Small Business Service will shortly be setting up a dedicated finance division.