§ 43. Mr. R. A. TAYLORasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has any information as to the amount of guarantees made available by the German Government for the development of Germany's overseas trade and the period of credit allowed in respect of engineering products?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe amount made available by a decree of July last for guarantees under the German export credits scheme is 350,000,000 Reichs-marks. The duration of the credits depends upon the nature of the order, but is, in general, from one to two years. Credits in connection with ships built for foreign account run for longer periods. Enginering products, apart from ships, are not singled out for special treatment.
§ 44. Mr. TAYLORasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has any information as to the amount of guarantees made available by the Italian Government for the development of Italy's overseas trade and the period of credit allowed in respect of engineering products?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe latest information at my disposal is that new risks undertaken by the Italian State during the year ending 30th June last were not to exceed 200 million lire. I understand that credits may not normally extend beyond three years.
§ 51. Mr. TAYLORasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has any information as to the amount of guarantees made available by the Belgian Government for the development of Belgian overseas trade; and the period of credit allowed in respect of engineering products?
§ Mr. GILLETTThe maximum liability which may be assumed by the Belgian Government under the Belgian export credits scheme is six hundred million francs. The maximum length of credit which may be covered by guarantees is three years, or six years if the purchaser is a foreign Government or if the transaction is guaranteed by a foreign Government. I am not aware of any special arrangements for engineering products.
§ Mr. TAYLORDoes that mean that credits are available from three to six years for various engineering products in Belgium?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am afraid that I cannot add anything to what I have said.
§ Mr. TAYLORAs there are no special exemptions, I take it that engineering products will he available for six-year credits?
§ Mr. GILLETTAs far as I am aware, that is so.