§ Mr. Simeonsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to assist exporters whose liquidity is becoming strained as a result of an accumulation of unpresented cheques arising from the strike of Irish bank clerks.
§ Mr. HigginsMy hon. Friend will know that the banks have already received a general request to give priority in their lending arrangements to the finance of export transactions. I have no reason to suppose that exporters affected by the strike have not been able to make alternative payment arrangements and it would not be appropriate for the Government to intervene in individual cases between banker and customer.