Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take steps designed to increase the percentage of British exports that are covered by the Export Credits Guarantee Department scheme; and if he will make a statement.
444W
§ Mr. DeakinsThe percentage of United Kingdom exports covered by ECGD is much higher than the comparable percentage in almost all other countries and has gone up steadily over the years.
In view of the large volume of United Kingdom exports still sold for cash or on secured terms the scope for an increase in the percentage may not be very great. Nevertheless, by continued effort to improve the service and to make ECGD facilities better known we hope to see the percentage rise still further.