§ 25. Sir PARK GOFFasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet obtained information as to the signing of an agreement between the Russian and Turkish Governments for a loan of approximately £8,000,000 to Turkey for the building of cotton mills and technical assistance; whether the work has been started; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)It is reported in the Turkish Press that an agreement has been signed under which the Soviet Government grants a credit of eight million dollars for the purchase of machinery required for the Turkish Government's industrialisation programme. I am unable to state what proportion of this credit will be employed to finance the construction of cotton mills nor whether such construction has been begun. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member on 28th February.