§ Mr. Hancockasked the Paymaster General (1) what was the number of small firm loans applied for and granted in (a) Hampshire and (b) Portsmouth for each year from 1979 to the present;
(2) what was the number of small firm loans applied for and granted in England and Wales, respectively, for each year from 1979 to the present.
§ Mr. TrippierThe loan guarantee scheme for small firms was introduced in 1981. I have listed the number of guarantees applied for and granted under the scheme from 1981 to the present.
Hampshire and Portsmouth are included in the southeast region for statistical purposes. A further geographical breakdown is not available.
Year England Wales South East 1981 1,594 97 690 1982 5,323 359 2,279 1983 4,755 195 2,048 1984 2,315 81 1,085 1985 519 24 242