HC Deb 28 April 1987 vol 115 c75W
Mr. John David Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons and firms are registered with the enterprise allowance scheme; how often payments are issued; and on how many occasions payments were delayed during the two months ended 31 March due to a breakdown in the supporting computer system.

Mr. Viggers

A total of 2,143 persons representing 2,054 small businesses are currently receiving assistance under the enterprise allowance scheme.

Payments to participants on the scheme are issued fortnightly in remittances of £80 on each second Tuesday of the 52-week period of payment.

During the two months ended 31 March 1987 there were two occurrences of a one-day delay in the issue of payments caused by temporary computer problems.