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West Midlands and Coventry

I do not disagree with my right hon. Friend, but I would add that the Government, despite their protestations, must consider small businesses and help with their financial situation and their liquidity problems, perhaps with loans from the banks. If my earlier suggestion about six to nine months' payment was adopted, they might be able to take on young people. The Government will never crack the problem unless they provide that. To wind up, I want to ask the Minister some questions. Will he tell us what evidence-based assessment he has made of the Government's industrial policy? What confidence can he give to global manufacturers with long-term investment horizons? What confidence can he give to companies to take on apprentices? How will the Government support small and medium-sized businesses to retain skills in the region?