SMALL firms in the North East are being invited to find out more about how the Parliamentary process works and how they can engage with it.

The Hartlepool branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has organised the Business of Parliament event with Parliament’s Outreach Service, which will take place at the town’s college next month.

The morning session will feature talks from the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee clerk James Davies, and the Outreach Service’s Daniel Wood on engaging with Parliament’s processes.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s Coun Pamela Hargreaves, who is also the FSB’s Hartlepool branch chairwoman, and Coun Damian Wilson will discuss the local picture, while the European Parliament Information Office’s Gergely Polner will talk about engaging with Europe.

In the afternoon, delegates will have the opportunity to question local MPs James Wharton, Iain Wright and Ian Swales, in a panel session chaired by ITV Tyne Tees’s political editor Gerry Foley.

The day aims to demystify the Parliamentary process of questions, debates and select committee inquiries, which give small businesses the opportunity to scrutinise laws and policies.

Coun Hargreaves said: “All businesses are impacted by the legislation that emanates from Parliament and this event will help more to understand how they can get their voice heard in the corridors of power.

“With a wide range of speakers from across the political spectrum, the event gives a perfect opportunity for small businesses to get the questions they want answering from their local representatives.”

The event takes place on November 4 during Parliament Week, a new initiative introduced to build awareness of how people can engage with the democratic process.

The meeting, which is free to attend, takes place at Hartlepool College on November 4 from 10am-3.30pm. To book, email parliamentaryoutreach@parliament.uk or call 0207 219 1650.