§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms in city challenge and inner city task force areas received loan guarantees under the small firms loan guarantee scheme in 1995–96; what was the total amount guaranteed to these firms; and what was the total amount guaranteed to these firms because they were in these geographical areas. [26039]
§ Mr. PageThe estimated number of loans guaranteed to firms in city challenge or inner city task force areas in 1995–96 is around 160 at a value of £3.98 million. Final statistical details are not yet available.
Around 30 of the loans, at a value of around £80,000, would have fully benefited from trading from an address within the specific inner-city areas; around 125, at a value of £3.6 million, would have received partial benefits. The remainder did not benefit from their location.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many firms which received loan guarantees under the loan guarantee scheme in the last year will be ineligible to apply for loans because of new exclusions coming into force on 1 September. [26041]
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§ Mr. PageThe estimated number of loans guaranteed under the scheme in 1995–96, for business activities that will be excluded from 1 September, is around 700. Final statistical details are not yet available.