§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of die Exchequer on the provision of an interest free loan scheme to tourism businesses. [160129]
§ Janet AndersonAs a member of the Rural Task Force, my Department has fed in suggestions on what help can be given to tourism businesses affected by foot and mouth, including loan schemes. A package of financial measures to help affected businesses was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, and Chairman of the Rural Task Force, on 20 March. In addition, on 6 April the Department of Trade and Industry announced that tourist and retail businesses suffering cash-flow problems will now be able to apply for loans of up to £250,000 under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme with much greater flexibility over their repayments.