What steps he is taking to support small and medium cycle manufacturers.

What steps he is taking to support small and medium cycle manufacturers.

Small and medium-sized bicycle manufacturers are important for our green growth ambitions. Through the Government’s industrial and trade strategies, we are backing innovation, sustainability and skills development to help businesses, including cycle manufacturers, to scale up so that they can compete globally and continue driving forward the UK’s cycling economy.

Small and medium-sized bicycle manufacturers are important for our green growth ambitions. Through the Government’s industrial and trade strategies, we are backing innovation, sustainability and skills development to help businesses, including cycle manufacturers, to scale up so that they can compete globally and continue driving forward the UK’s cycling economy.

I associate myself with your statement, Mr Speaker, and with the comments of the hon. Lady.

I recognise that there is concern about this issue among cycle manufacturers. The hon. Lady may be aware that some anti-dumping measures have been extended until 2029, but some have been lifted as a result of the work of the Trade Remedies Authority. We are always happy to meet cycle manufacturers to discuss their concerns—whether it is with the hon. Lady or directly with industry, I am very happy to ensure that such a meeting takes place.

I associate myself with your statement, Mr Speaker, and with the comments of the hon. Lady.

I recognise that there is concern about this issue among cycle manufacturers. The hon. Lady may be aware that some anti-dumping measures have been extended until 2029, but some have been lifted as a result of the work of the Trade Remedies Authority. We are always happy to meet cycle manufacturers to discuss their concerns—whether it is with the hon. Lady or directly with industry, I am very happy to ensure that such a meeting takes place.

First, I commend the hon. Lady for the humour in her question. As she will recognise, this is Business and Trade Question Time, not Treasury Question Time, where tax measures are usually dealt with, but I am sure that the Treasury will note her comments. I should perhaps point her to recent surveys of business confidence: the Lloyds Bank business barometer pointed out that business confidence is at a nine-year high. I am sure she will be delighted by that news.

First, I commend the hon. Lady for the humour in her question. As she will recognise, this is Business and Trade Question Time, not Treasury Question Time, where tax measures are usually dealt with, but I am sure that the Treasury will note her comments. I should perhaps point her to recent surveys of business confidence: the Lloyds Bank business barometer pointed out that business confidence is at a nine-year high. I am sure she will be delighted by that news.

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her suspicion that I have considerable influence with the Treasury. We are always in discussions with Treasury colleagues, and indeed colleagues across Government, about what more we can do to support business. Another indicator of improving business confidence is a survey by the American Express business barometer, which pointed out that almost three quarters of small and medium-sized enterprise bosses are confident about the future—again, up from last year.

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her suspicion that I have considerable influence with the Treasury. We are always in discussions with Treasury colleagues, and indeed colleagues across Government, about what more we can do to support business. Another indicator of improving business confidence is a survey by the American Express business barometer, which pointed out that almost three quarters of small and medium-sized enterprise bosses are confident about the future—again, up from last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support small and medium-sized bicycle manufacturers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to support small and medium-sized bicycle manufacturers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses which export bicycles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses which export bicycles.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many letters her Department has received for hon. Members regarding trade remedies and the assembly of bicycles; and if she will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many letters her Department has received for hon. Members regarding trade remedies and the assembly of bicycles; and if she will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what tax efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles his Department makes available to its employees; how many and what percentage of his Department’s staff purchased bicycles through such schemes in 2005-06; whether the schemes are available through a range of...

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what tax efficient schemes for the purchase of bicycles his Department makes available to its employees; how many and what percentage of his Department’s staff purchased bicycles through such schemes in 2005-06; whether the schemes are available through a range of...

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what provision is made at his Department headquarters for cycle parking for visitors; and how accessible it is. - Includes figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what provision is made at his Department headquarters for cycle parking for visitors; and how accessible it is. - Includes figures.