§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he proposes to relieve small businesses and farms from paying interest charges considerably in excess of base rates.
§ Mr. NelsonThe Government have reduced base rates by 6.5 per cent. over the last 16 months and are committed to maintaining a competitive market for lending. The particular rates paid by individual borrowers is a matter for negotiation between them and their lenders.