4. Lieut. - Colonel Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Trade how many inquiries, and to what, amount in money, have been received from British manufacturers under the export credits scheme for transactions with Soviet Russia?
§ Mr. LUNN (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)As I stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on the 25th June last, the question of the extension of the export credits scheme to Russia is still under consideration by His Majesty's Government. In these circumstances, no formal applications for credit for Russia have been submitted, but certain preliminary inquiries have been made at the Export Credits Department. In most of these cases the amounts concerned have not been stated.
§ Captain BRASSCan the hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when the Government will come to a decision?
§ Mr. LUNNIt is quite impossible for me to say when that will be. I think that that is a question which ought to be put to the Prime Minister
§ Mr. LUMLEYWill the hon. Gentleman be prepared to give the information before the House rises?