§ 32. Mr. REMERasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will give a list of the new schemes initiated in his Department since June last for the extension of the export sale of our goods?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)The activities of my Department are mainly concerned with assisting commercial organisations and individual traders to extend their export business. In addition to watching over these individual developments it has been my concern to give the closest study to improving and strengthening the organisation of the Department, both at home and overseas. Concrete proposals for this purpose are now receiving consideration from His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MILLSCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the presently constituted Advisory Council has considered extending the time for export credit guarantees?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am afraid that my hon. Friend's question hardly comes under this question, but the matter has been carefully considered, though there has been no recent consideration.
§ Mr. MILLSIs not the export sale of our goods, especially heavy machinery, conditional upon the export credit guarantee extending over long periods?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.