§ 33. Sir A. KNOXasked 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. SMITHNo, 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. KNOXConsidering 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. R. A. TAYLORWill not this sugar be refined in Great Britain, and, therefore, provide work here?
§ Mr. MARLEYIs it not the fact that the committee which deals with these credits was appointed chiefly by the Opposition party?