§ Mr. Warrenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the total amount of investment given to the business expansion scheme; and how many of the 186W approved investments have been in the ranges of under £10,000, between £10,000 and £100,000 and over £100,000.
§ Mr. MooreIn 1983–84 the approved funds made about 200 investments amounting in total to just over £39 million. In some cases there was more than one investment in the same company. Taking these multiple investments into account, 75 per cent. of the companies invested in each received in excess of £100,000. The remainder nearly all received amounts between £10,000 and £100,000.
We believe that direct investment under the scheme in 1983–84 amounted at least to a further £15 million, but firm figures will not be available until all investors have actually claimed their relief. About 85 per cent. of the claims so far received for individual investments are in respect of amounts of less than £10,000. However, it is too early to say how many individuals invested in the same company and, therefore, how much in total has been invested in each company.
§ Mr. Warrenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual businesses have been able to obtain assistance under the business expansion scheme; and how many of these come under the heading of small businesses.
§ Mr. MoorePreliminary figures suggest that in 1983–84 investments were made in some 300 companies. Firm figures will not be available in respect of direct investments by individuals until all the investors claim tax relief, and this may happen any time up to two years after the end of the tax year in which the investment is made.
I regret that no information is yet available about the size of companies in which investments have been made under the scheme.