§ 1. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will relax the terms imposed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department under which British exporters can trade with Israel.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)The Export Credits Guarantee Department does not impose terms on United Kingdom exporters: it only lays down the terms upon which it may give guarantees. Cover for exports to Israel is now available, upon the Department's normal terms, subject to a limit on medium term business.
§ Mr. JohnsonHave those terms been relaxed since they were made stricter last November? Is not it a fact that Israel is in no way a greater commercial risk than it was last November?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, certainly they have been relaxed. The present terms constitute a considerable advance upon the position which obtained in the course of last autumn.