§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what(a) grants, (b) loans and (c) at what rates of interest for loans, have been made by the European Coal and Steel Community to retail organisations in the United Kingdom in each of the last three years; and what is his estimate of the effect on the competitiveness of the receiving companies and/or bodies as compared to their rivals in the market place for their goods and/or services.
§ Mr. LeighI have been asked to reply. There have been no such grants, but one "conversion" loan in 1990 and one in 1991. There may have been sub-loans made under global loans through financial intermediaries but information about these is not available.
The purpose of ECSC conversion loans is to assist with the creation of employment for people made redundant from the coal and steel industries. The loans are available in designated areas throughout the European Community. The criteria applied are set by the Commission. I cannot estimate the effect on the competitiveness of the recipients.
The rates of interest attached to any individual line are a matter of commercial confidentiality between the borrower and the Commission.