§ Mr. Geraint DaviesTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of businesses eligible for the DTI Loan Guarantee Scheme were granted a loan by a bank during the last year for which figures are available. [15326]
§ Mrs. RocheNo figures on the proportion of eligible businesses successful in obtaining a loan are available. All applications are made direct to lenders who must consider whether or not conventional finance can be made available. Eligibility for the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme is considered only in cases where the lender would be prepared to lend but for a lack of available assets which could be used as security.