6. Mr. DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if consideration is being given to the fact that British manufacturers are unable to compete with 1977 German and other Continental firms owing to the collapsed exchanges; and can any steps be taken to ensure that all moneys loaned to the Indian Government for the development of the country be spent with English firms, to enable them to reduce the amount of unemployment that exists to-day?
§ Earl WINTERTONWhen the East India Loans Bill was recently before the House, I fully explained the policy to be followed in this matter and the reasons for its adoption. I am glad to say that the facts do not bear out the assumption in the first part of the question. As I previously stated, I can give no undertaking that all orders for supplies for Indian railways bought out of the proceeds of sterling loans will be placed in the United Kingdom, but I confidently hope that, as in the past, British manufacturers will be able to secure the great bulk of the orders.