§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government is doing to maintain the number of small manufacturers; what efforts are being made to improve resources and funding for the small business service; and if she will make a statement. [100298]
§ Nigel GriffithsThe Government's manufacturing strategy highlights the importance of increasing the uptake of best practice and improving skills, capital investment and innovation as key to the long-term survival of UK manufacturers. The Small Business Service (SBS) works closely with DTI colleagues responsible for the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). In all regions the MAS is being delivered in close association with Business Links Operators. In addition SBS runs a number of national programmes which include the provision of specific assistance to manufacturing companies, including the Inside UK Enterprise programme of best practice visits, and the Benchmark Index, which includes a report focused on SME manufacturing, aimed at making it easier for individual manufacturing companies to compare their1096W performance with that of their competitors, and to learn from each other. In "Small Business and Government—The Way Forward", published in December 2002, the Government set out its policy framework towards small business, including the key role of the SBS as a centre of expertise on small business issues in Government. The resources for the SBS in 2003–04 are being considered in the context of the development of its Business Plan for that year, which will be published on www.sbs.gov.uk.