§ Mr. WhittingdaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received concerning extending the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme to retail businesses; and if she will make a statement. [39814]
§ Ms HewittI have received representations from a variety of bodies over a period of time about the reintroduction of retailing as an eligible business activity under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme.
The Scheme is currently being considered as part of the DTI's wider review of business support.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in the operations of small business/Europe, with respect to(a) policy formation, (b) lobbying and (c) personnel. [39645]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe Small Business Service of the Department of Trade and Industry manages the contract under which small business/europe operates. Small business/europe is, however, a private company that determines its own policy formation and lobbying strategy through consultation with other UK SME representative organisations, trade associations and small and medium sized businesses themselves. The Director of small business/Europe, Ben Butters, is responsible for personnel for the organisation.
§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on planned funding arrangements for small business/Europe over the medium term. [39659]
§ Nigel GriffithsSmall business/europe has full Government funding for the first two years of operation and thereafter must find an increasing proportion of its funding from private sources as the funding from the Small Business Service of the Department of Trade and Industry is reduced.