§ Sir C. Osborneasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that small businesmen are having to give longer credits to overseas buyers and are having to pay up to 10 per cent. on bank overdraft, which is more than their normal profit rate; and if he will reduce Bank Rate from 8 per cent. to 6 per cent. in the near future so that exporting is not done at a loss.
§ Mr. Roy Jenkins:I am aware that the rate for some export credit will be above Bank Rate, but not that exporting is in consequence done at a loss. I can make no statement regarding future changes in Bank Rate.