asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make provision for tax relief for small business men whose commitments will not be covered by their takings during the current reduction in the working week.

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Madel).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to ease bank credit restrictions for small businesses due to the liquidity problems arising from the oil and coal shortages.

I feel sure that the banks will give sympathetic consideration to requests for credit from small businesses in temporary liquidity difficulties as a result of the present restrictions. We are of course keeping a careful watch on the situation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make arrangements for banks to receive a Government guarantee on loans made to small businesses which are considered sound, and are at present restricted from receiving the necessary credit required to maintain their liquidity.

The Government are keeping the liquidity position of small businesses under close review.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for remittances of value added tax from small manufacturing businesses to be deferred to ease the liquidity position of these firms.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedfordshire, South (Mr. Madel) on 16th January.—[Vol. 867, c. 131–2.]