§ Mr. Cabornasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the new community instrument of 1,500 mecu (£1,100 million) is likely to come to smaller and medium-sized enterprises in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. TrippierI have been asked to reply.
The Council of the European Communities has adopted a decision to make a facility of 750 mecu available under the new community instrument for lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide a further facility of 750 mecu for the same purpose. Applications for loans under both facilities will be made to the European Investment Bank. Funds will not be allocated to particular member states and it is not yet possible to estimate what proportion will come to the United Kingdom.