§ That this House takes note of European Community Document Nos. 6141/96, relating to a third multi-annual programme for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and 6929/96, relating to loan guarantees for investments by SMEs creating employment; recognises the important economic role that SMEs play throughout the European Union and supports the Government's intention to support the proposals for the multi-annual programme, subject to satisfactory agreement with the Commission and other Member States about the detailed contents of the programme and the level of the programme budget, and to examine further the proposals relating to loan guarantees for investment by SMEs creating employment.—[Mr. Bates.]
§ Question agreed to.