§ 50. Mr. Edelmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make available to France, through the Intra-European Payments Scheme an extra sum of sterling on the understanding that this sterling is spent on the purchase of British tractors.
§ Mr. EdelmanSince more tractors for France mean more employment in Britain, and, in the long run, more food for Britain, will my hon. Friend consider providing alternative credit facilities?
§ Mr. JayWe have considered that point very carefully indeed for the reasons my hon. Friend gave, but we have already made very large sums of sterling available to the French Government under the European Payments Scheme, and there must be some limit to free gifts made in this sort of way.
§ Sir Patrick HannonIn view of the serious situation created in Coventry, and the unemployment throughout the Midlands, what action does the Administration mean to take to raise employment in the motor industry?
§ Mr. JayThere is, of course, other action, such as the opening of export markets in many other countries. This problem does not depend simply on exports to France.