§ Mr. David Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for aid under Sections 7 and 8, respectively, of the Industry Act have been received; how many granted; and how many were from firms employing less than 200 employees.
§ Mr. ChatawayAt 28th February, 661 applications for assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act had been received, and 58 loans and 31 grants had been offered.
There is no formal application procedure for assistance under Section 8 of the Industry Act, but about 140 inquiries have been received. Twelve cases are under consideration and in two cases the Department has indicated its willingness in principle to provide support on certain conditions.
Information about the number of applications from firms employing less than 200 employees is not readily available, but some indication of the strong response from smaller firms in the regions is given by the fact that over 85 per cent. of Section 7 applications for loans and interest relief grants were for loans and interest relief grants on loans of less than £250,000.