§ Mr. J. E. B. Hillasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the list of industries which have been given priority in accordance with national policy in the provision of credit facilities; and what priority agriculture has in that list.
§ Mr. CallaghanThere is no list of industries. The banks give high priority in their lending to certain broad categories of borrowing such as exports and finance for the strengthening of productive investment by manufacturing industry. The banks have also been asked to pay full regard to the aims of Her Majesty's Government on regional development. Within this policy I have said that the banks will recognise the importance of agriculture because of the contribution it makes towards our economic strength.