§ 85. Mr. F. Longdenasked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been called to the Polish cancellation of orders for heavy machine tools in Britain; to the position in which home firms find these tools either too costly to purchase or unsuitable, making it difficult to find home markets for them; what financial obligations are involved; and what other foreign countries are acting similarly.
§ Mr. G. R. StraussI am not aware that Polish or other foreign customers have cancelled orders in this country for heavy machine tools. There are, however, firms who have been unable to secure export licences and some may be having difficulty in disposing of the tools. I have no information about the financial obligations of the firms, but some of them have insured with the Exports Credit Guarantee Department.