§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the cost of the Rural Development Commission's business advisers in each year since it began. [28148]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Rural Development Commission regionalised its operations and set up dedicated teams of business advisers, working primarily within the commission's priority rural development areas, in 1990. Since 1995 business advisers have operated exclusively in these areas. The cost of business advisers prior to 1990 is contained within the general running costs of the commission and cannot be disaggregated. The commission's expenditure on business advisers in the years 1990–91 to 1995–96 are as follows:
£ million 1990–91 2.80 1991–92 2.31 1992–93 2.13 1993–94 2.35 1994–95 1.82 1995–96 0.87
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the current value of the Rural Development Commission's small firms loan fund. [28149]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe net book value of the commission's loan fund, after allowing for provision of unrecoverable loans, is as follows:
£ million At 31 March 1994 15.261 At 31 March 1995 15.306 At 31 March 1996 14.814 Estimated 31 March 1997 14.104