§ Mr. Harry Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is yet able to make a statement on the agency arrangements for the work of the European Investment Bank in Scotland.
§ Mr. Alexander FletcherIn his reply to the hon. Member on 6 December my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Industry announced the Government's decision to continue the exchange risk766W cover scheme for a further two years until 31 December 1981 The arrangements whereby the Deparment of Industry, the Scottish Economic Planning Deparment, the Welsh Office Industry Department, and the Northern Ireland Department of Commerce act as agents for the European Investment Bank for loans of between £17,000 and £2.5 million for smaller firms will continue as before.