§ Sir F. WISEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount the Government has guaranteed under the Trade Facilities Act and under the export Credits scheme; and what is the amount of bad debts in each case?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe amount which the Treasury had agreed to guarantee under the Trade Facilities scheme up to the 31st December last, was £63,169,741, and the total payments which the Treasury has had to make in order to implement its guarantees is £20,510. I am informed that the amount guaranteed under the Export Credits scheme has been £6,043,267. The amount of bad debts cannot be stated with accuracy, inasmuch as many of the cases are not yet closed. The amount actually written off with Treasury authority is £15,319, but there is reason to suppose that this sum will be substantially increased.