asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many applications have been made in Cornwall under the loan guarantee scheme for small businesses; how many applications have been approved; how much has been advanced by his Department; and if he is satisfied with the operation of the arrangements in Cornwall.

Information is not available in respect of individual counties. Figures are collected on the basis of the areas covered by the Department of Industry's regional offices. The number of guarantees issued nationally and in the South-West region, during the first eight months of the scheme's operation to end January 1982 are:

	Guarantees issued
	Number	Value
		£ million
National	2,325	80·1
South-West region	217	7·5

I am currently reviewing with the banks the operation of the scheme. Inevitably understanding of and interest in it will vary, but on the whole I would conclude that the level of take up both nationally and in the South-West could not have been achieved without the considerable cooperation of the participating banks.