HC Deb 31 March 1930 vol 237 cc874-6
22. Mr. W. J. BROWN

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total sum of money represented by applications under the Export Credit Facilities Act in respect of goods proposed to be exported to Russia which have been rejected because the period of guarantee asked for exceeded 12 months?

Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

No statistics are available in regard to the amount of business rejected under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Will the hon. Member tell us whether the amount is considerable or not?

Mr. BROWN

As this information is not in the Department, will the hon. Member take steps to get it?

Mr. GILLETT

I may explain that I answered a question on this point more fully on 10th March and explained the reasons why any figures would be valueless.

Mr. WILLIAMS

May I have a reply to my question as to whether the amount is considerable?

Mr. GILLETT

The answer I have just given applies to that point.

Mr. A. M. SAMUEL

Is it not the case that the accepted business, £738,000, shows that the amount of business coming forward is only a dribble?

Mr. GILLETT

The hon. Member knows that many applications are made, some of which may apply to the same piece of work, and therefore we cannot attach any importance to the nominal figures we have.

Mr. BROWN

Is it not possible to distinguish between applications of that kind and tell us the sum of money involved in the applications which have been rejected? If it is possible to tell us how much has been granted, is it not possible to tell us how much has been rejected?

Mr. GILLETT

Because to give these figures would be to give an entirely wrong impression to the House.

Mr. BROWN

At present we have no impression at all.

Mr. SAMUEL

Is it not the case that the amount of business coming forward which has been rejected is really not worth having?

Mr. GILLETT

I cannot agree with the hon. Member.

23. Sir A. KNOX

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the total value of imports from the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics in 1929 and the total value of exports to that country, distinguishing between British manufactures and re-exports?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. W. R. Smith)

The hon. and gallant Member will find the figures for which he asks in the answer which was given to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Major Glyn) on the 11th February last, and of which I am sending him a copy.