HC Deb 25 March 2004 vol 419 c960W
14. Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the way the Government consults small firms on new legislation. [163446]

Nigel Griffiths

The Government established a Small Business Council in May 2000 to advise and report on the effects that the Government have on small business, including regulation, William Sargent SEBC Chair acts as the 'voice' for small business across Whitehall—in this role he also has direct access to the Prime Minister and attends Ministerial Panel of Regulatory Accountability.