§ 63. Mr. Alan Howarthasked the Paymaster General what responses he has so far received to the Government's pilot scheme of career development loans; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TrippierI am encouraged by the interest shown since the career development loan scheme was launched on 15 April in the four pilot areas of Aberdeen, Bath/Bristol, Greater Manchester and Reading/Slough. Some 48,000 leaflets have so far been distributed with some 5,000 responses to its invitation to make more detailed inquiries. I hope that as many people as possible in the pilot areas will consider whether taking a loan at the very favourable terms now on offer would enable them to train to improve their career prospects.