Export Credit Guarantees Department

HC Deb 21 March 1980 vol 981 cc353-4W

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the surplus of the Export Credit Guarantees Department in the past five years; and if he has any plans to transfer any of its functions to the private sector.

Mr. Parkinson

In the past five financial years the net additions to ECGD's section 1—commercial account—and, section 2—national interest account—reserves have been as follows:

Section 1	£ million
1974–75	29.2
1975–76	19.2
1976–77	11.8
1977–78	3.1
1978–79	21.9

Section 2	£ million
1974–75	21.2
1975–76	21.7
1976–77	28.3
1977–78	43.7
1978–79	55.4

These contributions to the reserves represent the excess in each year of income

I am not aware of any other infraction proceedings as regards trade in textiles and clothing products.