§ 69. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been made available up to 1st July, 1970 in the form of Treasury loans to the Council for Small Industries in rural areas; what part of this sum has been for the assistance of hotels and tourism, respectively; and whether he will now reconsider the arrangements with regard to giving reasons when such loans are rejected.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinLoan funds totalling £1,564,500 have been made available to the Council from the Development Fund for lending up to 31st March, 1970. A comparable figure cannot be given for the period 1st April to 1st July, 1970, but the amount approved for the year to 31st March, 1971 is £1,180,000 making a total of £2,744,500.
Of this, £1,770,000 relates to assistance to tourism in rural parts of Development Areas, but it is not possible to split this sum between "hotels" and "tourism" as the scheme covers accommodation only and not other tourism amenities. Separate figures are not maintained for hotels and other types of accommodation. It is not the Council's practice to disclose the reason for the rejection of loan applications and no modification to the practice is contemplated.