HC Deb 24 October 2002 vol 391 c426W
Annabelle Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small business closures there were in each year since 1997 in(a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK. [76859]

Nigel Griffiths

VAT de-registrations are the only official measure of business closures. Business de-registrations are not available by size of business and there is no requirement for small businesses to supply the information separately.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was allocated to small firms throughout the United Kingdom using the Research and Development tax credit in financial years(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02; and if she will make a statement. [75119]

Ruth Kelly

I have been asked to reply.

For companies claiming the R&D tax credit for small or medium sized companies in 2000/01, the cost to the Exchequer was £75 million. Figures are not yet available for 2001/02.