HC Deb 29 January 1997 vol 289 cc264-5W
Ms Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many career development loan applications (a) have been made, (b) were successful and (c) were unsuccessful, by ethnic category. [12832]

Mr. Paice

Information on the ethnic origin of career development loan applicants is not gathered at the application stage. Responses to questions on ethnic origin contained in a follow-up survey on 20 per cent. of successful career development loan applicants as at 31 December 1996 are listed as follows:

  • Black African/Caribbean: 2 per cent.
  • Bangladeshi: 1 per cent.
  • Indian: 2 per cent.
  • Pakistani: 1 per cent.
  • White: 87 per cent.
  • Other: 2 per cent.
  • Prefer not to say: 5 per cent.

The overall approval rate for career development loan applications, based on information provided by the participating banks, is 70 per cent.