§ 40. Mr. HACKINGasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number and total value of the contracts entered into in respect of exports to Russia under the exports credit scheme during the month of February this year?
§ Mr. GILLETTDuring the four weeks ended on the 1st March, 16 contracts were entered into under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme in respect of exports to Russia, covering goods to the value of £137,373.
§ Mr. HACKINGCan the hon. Gentleman say what was the nature of those goods?
§ Mr. GILLETTI am afraid I have not any information.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELWill the hon. Member consult the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. A. Taylor) to see if he can get any help from him?
§ Mr. GILLETTI have been in very close consultation with the hon. Member, who has been very helpful.
§ Mr. SAMUELWith this small result?
§ Mr. W. J. BROWNIs my hon. Friend aware that the present limit of 12 months in the credit guarantees in respect of exporters to Russia has had the effect of stopping the placing of large numbers of orders in this country which would otherwise have been placed; and can he tell us when the Government's position on this matter is going to be revised and brought into harmony with what we said during the Election?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are getting a long way from the question.