§ Miss Quennellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the United Kingdom has lost overseas orders for heavy electrical power plant to the value of £100 million; in view of the seriousness of this loss, what study he has given to the proposal for the establishment of an agency, similar to the Export-Import Bank of America, details of which have been sent to him; and, as this would be a vital link in any proposals to increase the export trade from this country, what steps he is proposing to take in the matter.
§ Mr. RedheadI am aware that other countries obtain export business as well as ourselves. In general, British firms are already able to offer credit on competitive terms for business which is not financed from aid. The Government are considering ways of improving the facilities available to exporters, but we cannot undertake to match credits provided by other countries on noncommercial terms as part of their aid programmes.