§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry why he is blocking in the United Kingdom the operation of the European Coal and Steel Community scheme which makes available loans to small firms at preferential interest rates.
§ Mr. MacGregorI particularly wish to encourage the use of loans to small firms from both the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Investment Bank. The Department operates a scheme to relieve borrowers of the exchange risk for such foreign currency loans on projects which meet the criteria for assistance under section 7 of the Industry Act.
If the hon. Member has a specific case in mind, perhaps he will let me have the details.