HC Deb 10 February 1930 vol 235 cc19-20
38. Mr. HACKING

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount of Russian business insured in policies signed under the exports credits scheme in December, 1929, and £120,411 and £194,568, respectively?

Mr. GILLETT

Contracts entered into under the export credits guarantee scheme during December, 1929, and January, 1930, in respect of exports to Russia covered goods to the value of £120,411 and £194,568, respectively?

Mr. HACKING

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with that increase?

Mr. MILLS

We are not.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Were any applications refused, or were they all aceepted?

Mr. GILLETT

I am afraid I must ask for notice of that question.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Why is the amount so small?

Mr. GILLETT

Although I asked for notice of the hon. Member's question, it is quite likely that a certain amount has probably been refused because they wanted a longer term than we can give them.

40. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total liability incurred by the British Government in respect of guarantees to exporters in this country to Soviet Russia?

Mr. GILLETT

Up to the 8th February the Export Credits Guarantee Department had entered into contracts in respect of exports to Russia on which their maximum possible liability amounted to £364,442.

Mr. MILLS

Can the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department tell us how that corresponds with the unemployment benefit paid in the engineering industry in the Dartford Division of Kent for one month?

HON. MEMBERS

What has that to do with it?

Mr. MILLS

It has very much to do with it.

Colonel HOWARD-BURY

Can the hon. Member say why since the Russians have already, by their exports to this country, got a large credit in this country, they cannot make use of that credit in purchasing what they need?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for argument.

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