HC Deb 25 March 1975 vol 889 cc132-3W
Mr. Normanton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans and guarantees have been approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the North-West area since 1st January 1973.

Mr. Dell:

The European Investment Bank has not so far directly financed any projects in the North-West area. However, since 1st January 1973 two projects have been financed from loans provided by the bank to the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation for on-lending to small and medium-sized firms in the assisted areas. They are a £50,000 loan for the manufacture of integrated circuits at Workington, Cumberland, and a £220,000 loan for the manufacture of sugar confectionery at Liverpool. The bank has not so far given any guarantees for projects in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Giles Shaw

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans and guarantees have been approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the Yorkshire and Humberside area since 1st January 1973.

Mr. Dell:

Since 1st January 1973 the European Investment Bank has provided two loans for projects in the Yorkshire and Humberside area. In October 1973 the bank made a loan of £14.7 million to the British Steel Corporation for the expansion of facilities at the Teesside Steelworks, and in November 1974 it made a loan of £12 million to the corporation for the construction of a bar mill at Thrybergh Steelworks near Rotherham. The bank has not so far given any guarantees for projects in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Britian

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the loans and guarantees approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the North-East area since 1st January 1973.

Mr. Dell:

Since 1st January 1973 the European Investment Bank has provided two loans totalling £23.4 million for the nuclear power station being built at Hartlepool. In addition the following projects in the North-East have been financed from loans which the bank has granted to the Industrial and Commercial Finance Corporation for on-lending to

Place Amount Sector
£
Northumberland 125,000 Food coloring
Newcastle 80,000 Workshop for property company
Peterlee, Co. Durham 375,000 Cold forged metal parts

The bank has not so far given any guarantees for projects in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the loans and guarantees approved by the European Investment Bank for projects in the area of East Anglia since 1st January 1973.

Mr. Dell:

The European Investment Bank has not granted any loans or given any guarantees for projects in East Anglia. The bank has, however, granted a loan of £7 million towards the cost of constructing the second Dartford Tunnel, which, when completed, should help to assist the economic development of the area.