§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Industry what he is doing to publicise loan facilities available from the European Investment Bank for small firms in assisted areas.
§ Mr. David Mitchell: I take every opportunity to explain the loan facilities available from both the European Investment Bank and the European Coal and 120W Steel Community when talking to small businessmen or their professional advisers about individual projects or the wide range of measures the Government has taken to help small firms. In addition, I have recently written about EIB loans to the hon. Member and to a number of other hon. Members with constituencies covering assisted areas with the intention that they should make the availability of EIB loans more widely known. I propose to let the hon. Member have full information about ECSC loans so that he can also publicise these opportunities which are now available.