To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the Statement of 27 January 2009, Official Report, columns 165-67, on the automotive industry, how many motor manufacturers have since received loan guarantees. (260550)

The Automotive Assistance Programme (AAP) received state aid clearance until 27 February. It opened for business on the same day. BERR held a seminar on 11 March to bring together industry, banks and the relevant trade bodies (including the SMMT) to make sure that the application process runs as smoothly and effectively as possible. No loan guarantees have yet been issued under the AAP, however we are in discussions with a number of companies who have expressed interest or made applications to the Programme.