§ 53. Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many small businesses obtained loans with assistance from the loan guarantee scheme in 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeIn the financial year May 1986 to April 1987, a total of 1,050 loans to a value of £40.37 million were made to small businesses under the loan guarantee scheme. In the period from April 1987 to the end of January 1988, a total of 938 loans had been issued to a value of £37.32 million. In January this year simplified administrative procedures for loans up to £15,000 were introduced and are expected to result in a further increase in the use of the scheme.