asked the Secretary of State for Industry what study he has made of the causes of closures of small firms nationally, and in Stoke-on-Trent, to assess the influence of the strong £ sterling, high interest rates and high fuel costs.

No specific studies have been made or planned. The Government are well aware of the detrimental effects that these factors can have on the fortunes of small businesses, but their biggest enemy is inflation and dealing with that must be our main priority.