§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what proportion of the European Investment Bank loan to the United Kingdom agreed in December 1977 to help finance small and medium-sized industrial ventures has been assigned to date; what proportion has been assigned within the northern region; and what proportion has been assigned to firms with less than 200 employees.
§ Mr. CryerAt 7th July the total value of loans offered to companies under the £20 million facility agreed by the European Investment Bank in December 1977 amounted to £5,905,000, and £2,050,000 of this total (34.7 per cent.) 505W relates to projects within the Northern Region. Loans made available to companies with less than 200 employees amount to £405,000 (6.9 per cent.). A number of applications from small companies are currently being considered.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he
1975 1976 1977 £ million Percentage £ million Percentage £ million Percentage Electricity … … 51.2 27.4 26.0 10.0 60.7 18.9 Distilling … … 12.0 6.4 — — — — Coal mining … 7.2 3.9 — — — — Gas … … 47.8 25.8 45.9 17.7 — — North Sea Oil … 16.9 9.1 45.4 17.5 — — Post Office … … 17.5 9.4 34.9 13.5 18.5 5.8 Water … … 7.5 4.0 23.0 8.9 117.4 36.6 Steel … … 17.5 9.4 41.95 16.2 97.0 30.2 Railways … … 6.3 3.4 22.1 8.5 7.2 2.2 Chemicals … … — — 19.7 7.6 — — Miscellaneous … 2.6 1.4 — — 20.0 6.2 186.5 258.95 320.7