HC Deb 31 January 1980 vol 977 c743W
Mr. Higgins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to ban the import into the United Kingdom of subsidised Union of Soviet Social Republics' exports which compete unfairly with British products and provide the Soviet Union with foreign exchange;

  1. (2) whether minimum rates of interest charged on export credits covering exports of United Kingdom-made capital goods to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are less than the minimum rate of interest likely to he charged to a British manufacturer wishing to borrow to purchase the same capital goods; what information he has on how big such a differential is likely to be; and to what extent the differential has changed since the statement by the Lord Privy Seal on Afghanistan;
  2. (3) if he will give an assurance that capital goods will not be exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on more favourable payment terms than those currently available to United Kingdom industry.

Mr. Parkinson

I shall reply to my right hon. Friend as soon as possible.