HC Deb 19 December 2003 vol 416 cc124-5W
Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small business schemes have been(a) launched and (b) proposed by (i) her Department and (ii) other Government departments since November 2002.[144209]

Nigel Griffiths

Since November 2002, four schemes supporting small businesses have been launched.

These are: The grant for Research and Development (replacing the Smart scheme) Extension of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea

No activities have been proposed which have not been launched.

These four schemes are those which fall within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Schemes operated, or proposed, by other Government Departments are the responsibility of their respective ministers.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Treasury regarding(a) the decision to backdate payments under section 660A of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 and (b) the impact this will have on small businesses. [145237]

Nigel Griffiths

Section 660A–660G of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 is a long standing piece of anti-avoidance legislation which prevents avoidance of tax by, for example, a taxpayer with a higher rate of tax transferring income to someone who is liable at a lower rate.

The legislation when applied does not impact on small business but on the very small number of owners who set out to exploit the system and avoid tax.

The DTI has regular contact with the Inland Revenue in relation to the way legislation applies to the owners of SMEs.

Brian Cotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the cost to small businesses of complying with new legislation introduced in each year since 1997. [145257]

Nigel Griffiths

A regulatory impact assessment is produced for all regulations that have a cost to or benefit for business and copies are available from the Libraries of the House.