Business Expansion Scheme

HC Deb 19 June 1986 vol 99 c627W

19. Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the amount raised by the business expansion scheme since its initiation.

Mr. Norman Lamont

£105 million was invested under the scheme in the first year, and latest figures show at least £147 million was invested in 1984–85. It is too early to say how much was invested last year, but we expect a further increase.

25. Mr. Freud

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the money raised by the business expansion scheme went to manufacturing companies for the last date for which figures are available.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Almost 28 per cent. of investment was in manufacturing in the first two years.