HC Deb 29 November 2001 vol 375 cc1047-8W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will review the(a) operations and (b) procedures in the Government Office for the North West. [18964]

Alan Johnson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has recently carried out a review of the business support functions of the whole Department, including those services provided via the Government Offices. On 22 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced key changes to be made to the role of the Government Offices. A review of the Government Office for the North West's performance during the first half of the 2001–02 financial year, against outcomes set in the Department of Trade and Industry's Business Plan, is under way.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what(a) advice and (b) support the Government Office for the North West can provide to businesses on management buyouts. [18962]

Alan Johnson

The Government Office for the North West and partners, including the Small Business Service and the North West Development Agency, provide general advice to businesses on a wide range of issues. Where a company is situated in an Assisted Area, the Government Office may be able to offer direct financial support for the management buyout.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason no file was held at the Government Office for the North West on the closure of Thomas Witter in Chorley. [18961]

Alan Johnson

The Government Office for the North West holds files where companies seek financial assistance or some other substantive relationship. No such approach has been received from Thomas Witter Ltd.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the role of the Government Office for the North West is in helping businesses that have been taken into administration. [18960]

Alan Johnson

The role the Government Office for the North West is to provide advice and support to local companies, whatever their situation, or to direct them to the most appropriate sources of advice and support. Provision of financial assistance depends on a number of factors including the size of the company concerned, the nature of its business and its location.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the quality of the operation of the Government Office for the North West; and if she will make a statement on the future of the Government Office for the North West. [18925]

Alan Johnson

A review of the Government Office for the North West's performance during the first half of the 2001–02 financial year, against outcomes set in the Department of Trade and Industry's Business Plan, is under way. On 22 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary' of State for Trade and Industry announced key changes that will be made to the DTI, including changes to the role of the Government Offices. There will continue to be a need for a strong DTI presence in the Government Office, but with a greater emphasis on influencing the whole range of government activity in the regions and on playing a stronger role in helping to shape policy and strategy centrally.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role the Government Office for the North West played in relation to Thomas Witter; and what procedures will be in place for staff at the Government Office for the North West to deal with the case of Thomas Witter. [18963]

Alan Johnson

Government Office officials brought the case of Thomas Witter Ltd. to the attention of the North West Development Agency, who agreed to consider whether support might be available from the intervention fund. Staff at the Government Office for the North West will continue to follow the correct procedures in dealing with this case.