HC Deb 17 March 1952 vol 497 cc1900-1
16. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the commencing date for granting loans to industry in a total sum of £1,000,000 for fuel-economising equipment and insulation of industrial buildings; what is the prescribed completion date for installation of such equipment in accordance with his recent announcement; what is the administrative machinery of his Department for approving such loans; whether prior approval of the Fuel Efficiency Branch of his Department will be required; and whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full details of this proposed scheme to embrace coal, electricity, gas and fuel oil conservation in industry.

Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd

The detailed arrangements are being worked out, and I hope to announce them shortly.

Mr. Nabarro

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the implications of the recent Budget statement, particularly in regard to the possibility of whether interest charges in respect of these loans will be admitted by the Inland Revenue as a charge for the purpose of computing liability to Income Tax, Profits Tax, and Excess Profits Levy?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly could not make any statement now as to the Budget.

Mr. Nabarro

I was merely asking my right hon. Friend to bear the matter in mind.

Mr. Philip Noel-Baker

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that this is in the nature of an experiment, and that if it succeeds the sum will be increased?

Mr. Lloyd

I cannot add to anything I have said, but I said that it was an experiment.

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