HC Deb 30 January 1997 vol 289 cc340-1W
Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many career development loans have been awarded in the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 to date (i) in each standard region, (ii) in Great Britain as a whole and (iii) in each of the areas covered by the career development loan plus pilot scheme. [13589]

Mr. Paice

Details of approved career development loans by region and nationally for the years 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996 97 to date are:

Standard region 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 to date1
North East 529 515 352
Merseyside 314 280 229
North West 897 878 629
Yorkshire and Humberside 1,152 1,072 712
West Midlands 924 956 563
East Midlands 819 862 574
Eastern 1,116 1,131 734
South East 2,263 1,868 1,332
London 3,880 2,890 1,972
South West 1,429 1,245 807
Wales 569 579 490
Scotland 1,277 1,011 747
Great Britain 15,169 13,287 9,141
1 As of 31 December 1996.

The career development loan plus pilot commenced on 18 September 1995 and operates in the counties of Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan. Gwent, Somerset and the former county of Avon. The total number of approved loans in the pilot area for 1995–96 is 412, and for 1996–97 to date 585.