§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make arrangements to ensure that his Department is informed of the total number of applications for the loan guarantee scheme received, and refused by the banks concerned.
§ Mr. MacGregor:No. A key part of the scheme is that the lending appraisal and the decision to lend are taken by the banks in each case. The scheme enables the banks to grant loans which would not have been given in the absence of the scheme, but the reasons for a refusal are a matter for them.