§ 6. Mrs. McLaughlinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that nearly 40 per cent. of British export trade is done by small firms and that these firms are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain this level due to credit restrictions in the home market; and what steps he proposes to take to ease this situation.
§ Sir D. EcclesI do not know the basis for my hon. Friend's figure of 40 per cent., but certainly a good deal of export trade is done by small firms. Credit restriction reduces home demand and frees goods for export; on balance, I consider this effect outweighs the real difficulties caused by the squeeze to which my hon. Friend refers.
§ Mrs. McLaughlinIs the President of the Board of Trade aware that many of the small firms find that, due to home restrictions and the difficulties of trying out their goods on the home market, it is very difficult for them to export? Is he aware that the attitude of the Government in failing to help individual firms which are small in capacity, numbers and capital—these are the people who are most hit—leads them to feel that the Government do not understand their problems?
§ Sir D. EcclesI agree with my hon. Friend that small firms do a very great part of the export business. If they are in difficulties about getting capital, the hon. Lady should put down a Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.