§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she has taken in response to the recommendation in the Better Regulation Task Force annual report 2000–01 that her Department should become an effective champion for small retailers. [20677]
§ Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 4 December 2001]The Government Response to the Better Regulation Task Force (BRTF) report gave me this role, which I have for all small firms. We are now considering how this can best be done.
We will certainly engage with key stakeholders in seeking to improve the competitiveness and productivity of the small retail sector, as well as to encourage small retailers to take advantage of the full range of support schemes appropriate to them.