§ Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many projects are currently being financed, either partly or wholly, through his Department by the European Investment Bank in the various intermediate areas of the country; and what proportion of total European Investment Bank finance in the United Kingdom this represents.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield:Under the agency scheme operated by my Department one loan of £250,000 has been approved for a project in an intermediate area. This represents just over 1 per cent. of the £18,964,000 total of loans so far approved under this scheme. One other application from an intermediate area submitted by my Department is currently being examined by the European Investment Bank, whilst two other applications are being considered by my Department.