§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates he has made of(a) the percentage and (b) the amount in cash terms constituted by the take-up in Wales of (i) career development loans and (ii) small firms training loans for 1994–95.
§ Mr. PaiceAt 31 January 1995, 491 career development loans, with a total value of £1.783 million, had been approved in Wales during the current financial year. This represented nearly 4 per cent. of the total approved throughout Great Britain. Total outturn for career development loans in Wales over 1994–95 is estimated at approximately 500 loans, with a total value of some £1.82 million.
Small firms training loans is a new programme, serious promotion of which did not start until the end of 1994. At 31 January 1995, one small firms training loan had been approved in Wales. Further applications for loans are being processed by the participating banks.