§ Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the balance between the public and private sector of loans from the European Investment Bank to the United Kingdom; whether this balance remained relatively constant over the period since the United Kingdom's accession to the Community; and whether he is intending to take steps to increase the availability of European Investment Bank loans to British companies in the private sector.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneSince the United Kingdom acceded to the Community in 1973 the balance between public and private sector loans from the EIB to this country has been subject to significant annual variations. The figures are as follows:
Private sector loans Public sector loans Total £ million £ million £ million 1973 4 29 33 1974 27 53 80 1975 15 172 187 1976 35 224 259 1977 20 301 321 1978 45 241 286 1979 42 445 487 1980 102 315 417 1981 (to date) 19 29 48 The Government do not impose any restrictions limiting the availability of EIB loans to British companies in the private sector and do not intend to do so.