55. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to which countries export credits will be made available; on what scale and from what date.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)I have been asked to reply. Guarantees under the Export Guarantees Act, 1939, are at present available to United Kingdom exporters in respect of exports to any country with which trade is allowed within the limit of liability of £75,000,000 laid down by the Act. As I have previously informed the House, I hope to be able to introduce legislation next Session to extend export credits facilities.
Miss WardWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that exporters cannot plan their future until they have got a financial policy prepared by the Government?
56. Miss Wardasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether it is intended that export credits shall be made available for shipbuilding.
§ Mr. DaltonI have been asked to reply. Guarantees in respect of ships built in United Kingdom yards for export are not excluded under the Export Guarantees Act, 1939, but such guarantees must be given with great discretion, at any rate until our own merchant fleet has been fully re-established after the war.