HC Deb 16 June 1924 vol 174 cc1732-3
58. Sir F. WISE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount, to date, guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act and the Export Credits Act?

Mr. GRAHAM

The total amount of loans guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Acts up to the 12th June is £46,164,145; the total amount of bills guaranteed under the Export Credits Scheme up to the 9th June is £8,223,772.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Does the figure of £8,000,000 include, all the guarantees which have been given and have expired, or does it only mean the amount now in operation?

Mr. GRAHAM

I have no doubt that this is the total sum which has been guaranteed under this scheme.

Mr. VIVIAN

Does the hon. Gentleman contemplate issuing, in some readily accessible form, a statement showing the results of the various enterprises in which this House is interested through these guarantees?

Mr. GRAHAM

My hon. Friend must know that under the Trade Facilities Act there is already a regular return, and I should think that on the other point, more or less, there is complete information.

Mr. VIVIAN

Showing the results as to profit and loss?

Mr. GRAHAM

As regards the Trade Facilities Act, I think the best reply is that in only one case so far, and that for less than £4,000, has there been any call upon the guarantee, and that is out of a total of £46,000,000 guaranteed.

Captain BRASS

How much has been guaranteed under the present Government?

Mr. GRAHAM

As regards the Trade Facilities Act, I think I am safe in saying that £7,000,000 or £8,000,000 of guarantees have taken place within recent weeks.

Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

Has any guarantee been given for Russian business under this Act?

Mr. LORIMER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the smallest amount which has been offered to one individual firm?

Mr. GRAHAM

I cannot give that without notice, but if the intention of the question is to turn to the smaller people, I may say that there are many small sums guaranteed of a few thousand pounds.