§ 40. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of British exports of pulp, paper and board-making machinery to the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe in 1961 and to the latest convenient date in 1962; what proportion this represents of total British exports of this type of machinery in each of the two years; and what steps he is taking to improve the credit terms covering exports to these markets in order that British manufacturers can meet foreign competition.
§ Mr. GreenThe value of United Kingdom exports of pulp, paper and board-making machinery to the Sovietbloc in 1961 and 1962 was £3.8 million and £8 million, respectively. This represented 29 per cent. and 42 per cent. of total United Kingdom exports of this type of machinery in these years. The present facilities offered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department, which take full account of officially-backed credit from other countries, should enable British manufacturers to offer competitive terms in these, as in other, markets.