§ Mr. MacKenzieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many small firms were given financial assistance by the Highlands and Islands Development Board in the course of the last 12 months to the latest convenient date; and how much money was involved.
§ Mr. RifkindThe bulk of the board's economic assistance is given to firms with 100 employees or fewer. Information on the number of such firms assisted is not available, but in the financial year 1985–86 a total of 1,597 applications for assistance were approved. Some of these approvals would not result in assistance being paid in 1985–86 and others would be withdrawn for various reasons. A total of £18 million was paid in 1985–86 by way of grants, loans and purchase of equity.