MONDAY 22 JANUARY 2007

SSDA, IMPROVE, SEMTA

  Q300  Chairman: Because that is beginning to say precisely what that means, at last.

  Mr Matthews: It is descriptive.

  Q301  Chairman: Finally, small and medium-sized enterprises: it is very easy for big companies to make all these changes, keep up to speed with all the various organisations which are involved and be represented on your boards as well. Are you happy that the interests and concerns of SMEs are properly represented in the work you do?

  Mr Fisher: I think the sector skills councils have made great efforts to try and engage SMEs, and there are lots of good examples of how they have done successfully. As you say, a number of the sector skills councils are chaired by leaders of SMEs. However, I am not entirely confident that we have got it exactly right. We are in discussion with the Small Business Council and others about how to get it better because I think it is a big and long-running issue for the economy, and there is more we need to do on engaging SMEs in the work of the network.

  Q302  Chairman: Mr Fisher, how many of your board members are SMEs?

  Mr Fisher: Certainly of my board at least two are SMEs.

  Q303  Chairman: Out of a total of?

  Mr Fisher: Something like 12 or 13 altogether. I will check that for you, but I think it is right. They are represented around the Network but there is more to do.

  Chairman: I am sorry it has all been a bit rushed as we started late, but we are very anxious not to keep our next witnesses too late either. If you feel there is anything you have not been able to cover during the oral evidence session, we would obviously welcome supplementary written evidence from you. We are very grateful to you for the way in which you have answered our questions. Thank you very much indeed.