Written question asked by Lord Dodds of Duncairn (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 8 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 November 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 14 November 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Insurance Premiums

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the change in insurance premiums for small and medium-sized businesses in 2004–05.

Answer: A survey of business insurance premiums in Northern Ireland is undertaken annually by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment. The last survey was undertaken at the end of 2004 and showed a reduction of 16.1 per cent. in the average (median) insurance premiums for small and medium businesses compared to the previous year.The next set of results from the survey which will provide an estimate of the change in insurance premiums between 2004 and 2005 will be published in spring 2006.

Secondary information