11. To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of small businesses closed within three years of starting up in the latest period for which figures are available. (179532)

29 per cent. of UK businesses registering for VAT in 2002 were no longer registered three years later.

17. To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assistance his Department provides for the start-up of small businesses. (179539)

Business support to a value of two and a half billion pounds per year, including start-up support, is delivered through regional development agencies and business link.