§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many small firms in the North Humberside assisted area have taken advantage of the moneys available from the European Investment Bank loan scheme agreement.
§ Mr. David MitchellSmall firms in the North Humberside development area should make more use of our agency arrangement with the European Investment Bank. This arrangement gives small firms preferential access to long-term152W money at favourable interest rates for projects which create or safeguard employment. To date one firm has had a loan in 1979 from the European Investment Bank under the agency arrangement and an application from another firm is about to go to the bank for formal agreement. I am writing more fully to the hon. Member so that he is in a position to give further publicity to the opportunities now available.