§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current level of(a) the margin and (b) the premium payable by firms on funds obtained under the Government's loan guarantee scheme for small firms. [34504]
§ Mr. PageThe margin over base is a commercial matter between the lender and the borrower. However, for variable rate lending most lenders are generally charging 2 to 2.5 per cent. over base.
The premium payable to the government is 1.5 per cent. a year of the outstanding balance for variable rate loans and 0.5 per cent. a year for loans at a fixed rate of interest. Borrowers who trade in the inner city task force and city challenge areas pay 0.5 per cent. a year for both fixed and variable rate lending
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of loans given to Welsh firms under the small firms loan guarantee scheme in 1994–95; and if he will make a statement. [34938]