HC Deb 03 November 1986 vol 103 c327W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Paymaster General, what estimate he has made of the additional employment which will be created in laboratories to be created under article 4 of the Lawnmowers (Harmonisation of Noise Emission Standards) Regulations 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has appointed nine existing test laboratories to examine, among other things, noise emissions from lawn mowers. We do not know, at this early stage, whether these bodies will need to appoint additional staff but it was never the purpose of the regulations to create jobs in this direct way and I hope they do not cause unnecessary public expense. The harmonisation of these standards should produce fair competition within the common market and prevent other countries from excluding products by producing unnecessarily stringent regulations. I hope that our manufacturers will be able to take advantage of the wider market that should result.

Aberdeen Bristol/Bath Greater Manchester Reading/Slough Total
£500–£1,000 13 13 17 10 53
£1,001–£2,000 2 7 4 6 19
£2,001–3,000 6 15 5 5 31
£3,001–£4,000 2 4 1 3 10
£4,001–5,000 3 6 2 6 17
All Values 26 45 29 30 130

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Paymaster General how many loans have been made under the career development scheme in each pilot area and in total to date, the value of which lie between £300 and £500.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Six career development loans have been made at the previous lower limit of £500. I reduced the lower limit to £300 earlier this month following discussions with the participating banks, training providers and potential users of the scheme.

Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Paymaster General how many applications for loans under the career development scheme have been made to date in each pilot area and in total to date; and, in each case, how many were rejected.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

As at 30 October 1986, the total numbers of applications and formal rejections notified to my Department by participating banks for each of the four pilot areas and in total was as follows:

Number of Career Development Loan applications Number of formal rejections1
Aberdeen 48 22
Bristol & Bath 53 8