§ Sir Archy KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) applications have been received and (b) awards have been granted by the Small Loans Guarantee Fund in the last six years for which figures are available within (i) the Scottish Borders, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK. [139484]
§ Nigel GriffithsSince 1997, 29,205 UK businesses have received loan guarantees through this scheme.
The total number of loans guaranteed for the Scottish Borders, Scotland and the UK over the last six years are shown in the following table.
Borders Scotland UK 2003–04 (April to September) 4 401 2,866 Guaranteed 2002–03 Guaranteed 10 558 3,916 2001–02 Guaranteed 16 698 4,269 2000–01 Guaranteed 19 621 4,312 1999–2000 Guaranteed 23 526 4,279 1998–99 Guaranteed 16 408 4,482 1997–98 Guaranteed 16 440 5,081 Total 104 3,652 29,205 There is no figure for the number of loan applications made to banks and other lenders.