§ Mr. Richard Pageasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the loan guarantee scheme.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe high level of demand for loans under the scheme is being maintained. At the end of April, the lastest period for which figures are available, 3,913 had been issued in respect of £131.8 million of bank lending. About half of the loans have gone to new businesses. My preliminary review of the scheme should be completed fairly soon.