To ask the President of the Board of Trade what are the responsibilities of the Deputy Prime Minister within the area covered by the Department of Trade and Industry. [38453]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has overall responsibility within Government for competitiveness, deregulation and public service issues. We work closely together on the issues of competitiveness and deregulation.The drive for enhanced competitiveness is central to my Department's work. It underlies the Department's programmes of support and assistance to business, including export promotion, innovation and small firms initiatives.