Mr. David Adamsasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been drawn to 1061W the contracts for £4,200,000 worth of railway material placed by the Turkish Government with a German firm; whether inquiries will be made as to possibilities of similar orders coming, in the future, to British firms; and whether British firms were able to offer railway material at prices comparing favourably with those of the German firm, or whether credit and other similar facilities were granted by the German firm to an extent which was not found practicable under British exports credits arrangements?
§ Mr. R. S. Hudson:The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. The particular contract was dealt with by the Turkish Railways Administration which, I am informed, feels obliged to purchase in countries in which Turkey holds blocked balances.