§ 35. Mr. Mathewasked the Paymaster-General to what extent in present circumstances there is still a need for Government loans to encourage industry to save fuel.
§ Sir I. HorobinMy noble Friend has decided to discontinue the Government Loan Scheme, which was designed to enable industry to finance fuel efficiency measures at a time when it was not easy to obtain credit from normal sources. The discontinuance of the scheme does not, of course, imply any slackening in the Government's interest in the fuel efficiency campaign, which it will continue to promote by all appropriate means within its powers.
Applications for loans which are now in an advanced stage of preparation will be considered, provided they reach the Ministry by 16th February, 1959.
I should like to pay tribute to the valuable services given to the Government and many loan applicants by the National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service, and in regard to finance by the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation.