§ 14. Mr. FRANKLINasked the President of the Board of Trade what loans under £10,000 in all were guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts during 1923; what amounts under £10,000 have been guaranteed during the operation of the Act; and what proportion does the aggregate of loans under £10,000 bear to the total amounts guaranteed?
Mr. GRAHAMThe hon. Member will find particulars of the guarantees given under the Trade Facilities Act in the quarterly returns presented under the Act to which I would refer him. Four loans of £10,000 or under have been guaranteed, and in one of these cases the taxpayer has already been called upon to make payment under the guarantee.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the hon. Gentleman tell the House the largest amount that has been loaned to any particular company?
Mr. GRAHAMI cannot recall the exact amount; the largest amount runs to one or two millions, in, I think, one of the railway undertakings; but I give that reply subject to correction.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIs it not the fact that however small the application it is favourably considered so long as the conditions are observed?