§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the current value of export guarantee loans outstanding; and what proportion of this amount refers to shipbuilding loans.
§ Mr. DeakinsThe current value of outstanding fixed-rate export finance made by the banks and guaranteed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department is £3,021 million. Statistics showing the proportion of these loans made in respect of exported ships are not readily available.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the procedure for dealing with companies which cannot meet their comitments as to interest or repayment under the 1972 Export Guarantee Loans Scheme; how many companies are at present involved in this way; and if it is his intention to refer them to the National Enterprise Board or similar bodies where applicable.
§ Mr. DeakinsUnder the 1972 agreement with the London and Scottish clearing banks, ECGD makes refinancing loans to the banks in respect of a proportion of their outstanding fixed-rate export finance. There has never been any problem on the repayment of these loans and related interest, and the question of any procedure to deal with non-payment or reference to the National Enterprise Board has not arisen.