HC Deb 21 July 1930 vol 241 c1730
33. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will issue an instruction to the advisory committee to refuse in future to guarantee payment of exports which represent less than 75 per cent. of British workmanship?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

No, Sir. In interpreting the Statutes governing the scheme, my hon. Friend has endeavoured to exclude from its scope exports of goods partly produced or made abroad in competition with similar goods of purely United Kingdom origin. But arbitrary rules such as that suggested by the hon. and gallant Member are difficult to administer, and would, in my hon. Friend's opinion, tend to impair the usefulness of the scheme to British exporters.

Sir A. KNOX

Considering that an export credit of £1,000,000 was given the other day for Cuban sugar, does not the hon. Gentleman think that it would be right, in order to help employment in this country as much as possible, to limit these credits to subjects that give work for British workers here?

Mr. SMITH

I believe that that is kept in mind by the committee that administers this scheme?

Mr. R. A. TAYLOR

Will not this sugar be refined in Great Britain, and, therefore, provide work here?

Mr. MARLEY

Is it not the fact that the committee which deals with these credits was appointed chiefly by the Opposition party?