§ 38. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what number of applications in respect of transactions with the British Empire have been received since 1st July under the exports credits guarantee scheme, and to what amount; what number have been favourably considered by the advisory committee; and what is the total amount of the sums guaranteed?
§ Mr. GILLETTFigures in regard to the first and second parts of the question are not readily available, but if the hon. Member so desires I will endeavour to obtain them. With regard to the third part, the total amount of contracts entered into in respect of the British Empire between 1st July and 26th October is £291,417.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEI shall be obliged to the hon. Gentleman if he will do so.
§ 40. Mr. MILLSasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the present constitution of the Export Credits Guarantee Department Advisory Committee; how long each member has been appointed; and whether the addition of persons directly associated with the textile, agricultural, and other industries is contemplated?
§ 35. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what are the names of the present members of the advisory committee administering the export credits guarantee scheme; what are the normal occupations of these members; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to have representatives of Labour as well as of bankers on the committee?
§ Mr. GILLETTWith my hon. Friends' permission, I will circulate the list of members of the Advisory Committee and their normal occupations in the OFFICIAL REPORT. All the members were appointed when the present scheme came into operation in 1926, except Mr. Wells, who joined the Committee in February, 1928. I am considering whether the vacancy caused by my withdrawal from the Committee should be filled, but it is not proposed to appoint any additional members directly associated with textile, agricultural or other particular industries.
§ Mr. HANNONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any question as to the qualifications of the members of the Committee to discharge their functions properly?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo set qualifications are required.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs it not a fact that upon that Committee there are representatives of the Association of the British Chambers of Commerce, which represents all kinds of industries in this country?
§ Mr. GILLETTYes, Sir. One of the members is an ex-President of that Association.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan my hon. Friend say whether there are any persons on the present Committee representing organised labour or Trade Unions?
§ Mr. GILLETTNo, Sir.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill that be done?
§ Mr. JAMES HUDSONIn view of the special problem of textiles, has my hon. Friend contemplated putting any textile representative on the Committee? Has he not received recently many complaints from the textile area about this Committee's operations?
§ Mr. GILLETTWe have not put on representatives of any definite industry. We consider that those who are on the Committee are fully acquainted with the various industries concerned. As regards the latter part of my hon. Friend's question, I must have notice of it.
§ Mr. MILLSIs it not a fact that the vast majority of the present members of 604 the Committee have definitely one view, and that is, the banking view, with regard to this very important question of British exports?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is true that they are mostly connected with the banking industry, but the Committee is so constituted that they are best qualified to perform the duties required.
§ Mr. MILLSWill my hon. Friend agree to meet the representatives of Messrs. Vickers in order to get their views on this subject?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am always glad to meet any representatives of any of the industries concerned.
§ Following is the list of members:
§ The members of the Advisory Committee for the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme and their normal occupations are as follows:—
- Chairman: Colonel The Hon. Sidney Peel, C.B., D.S.O., Chairman of the National Bank of Egypt.
- Deputy Chairman: John Caulcutt, Esq., Director of Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial and Overseas).
- Chas. D. Seligman, Esq., Director, Seligman Brothers, Ltd.
- Sir Edward Crowe, C.M.G., Comptroller-General, Department of Overseas Trade.
- F. Goldsmith, Esq., Manager of the National Discount Co., Ltd.
- Major J. W. Hills, M.P., Lately Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
- Sir William Larke, K.B.E., Director, National Federation of Iron and Steel Manufacturers.
- W. E. Preston, Esq., Director, Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China.
- E. R. Pulbrook, Esq., Lloyds.
- Sir Gilbert C. Vyle, Managing Director, W. & T. Avery, Ltd., Ex-President, Associated British Chambers of Commerce.
- W. E. Wells, Esq., Director, Anglo-South American Bank Ltd.
§ 41. Mr. MILLSasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if, seeing that the continued adhesion of the Advisory Committee on Exports Credits to restricted periods of credit facilities is inimical to British industry, he will consider whether this policy can be altered?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe Advisory Committee have always preferred the shorter rather than the longer periods of credit facilities. A number of applications for the longer periods have, however, been approved. I do not propose to interfere with the discretion of the Committee in their consideration of these proposals.