HC Deb 23 July 1990 vol 177 cc41-2W
Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the average premium rate payable, assuming no claims experience, by those policyholders with the Export Credits Guarantee Department with an annual export turnover of under £500,000 in each of the years 1985 to 1989;

(2) what was the average premium rate payable, assuming no claims experience, by those policyholders with the Export Credits Guarantee Department with an annual export turnover of under £1 million in each of the years 1985 to 1989;

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what was the average premium rate payable, assuming no claims experience, in the current financial year by those policyholders with the Export Credits Guarantee Department with an annual export turnover of(a) under £1 million and (b) under £500,000 in each of the nine regional offices of the Export Credits Guarantee Department;

(2) what was the average premium rate payable, assuming no claims experience, in the current financial year, for those policyholders with the Export Credits Guarantee Department with an annual export turnover of (a) under £500.000 and (b) under £1 million in each of the five years 1985 to 1989.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 19 July 1990]: The ECGD insures contracts with buyers in specified countries and does not necessarily require policyholders to inform the ECGD of their annual exports turnovers. In addition, the ECGD has a flexible premium policy, which takes account of a number of factors and generally quotes for agreed packages of risks and cover. Accordingly, information is not held in the form required to cover the question.

Ms. Quin

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the number of policyholders with the Export Credits Guarantee Department with an annual export turnover of under £500,000 in each of the years 1985 to 1989.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 19 July 1990]: The ECGD insures contracts with buyers in specified countries and does not necessarily require policyholders to inform the ECGD of their annual export turnovers. In addition, some companies insure their business with the ECGD through an intermediary rather than direct with the ECGD. Accordingly, information is not held in the form required to answer the question. In the financial year 1989–90, a total of 4,720 policyholders each declared business of less than £1 million. These figures refer only to the Cardiff-based insurance services short-term business and not to project business.

Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many organisations have indicated an interest in acquiring the Export Credits Guarantee Department's Cardiff-based short-term credit insurance operations.

Mr. Sainsbury

[holding answer 20 July 1990]: A number of representations and expressions of interest have been received. However, the details are a matter of commercial confidence.

Mr. Cash

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that a monopoly is not created as a result of the privatisation of Export Credits Guarantee Department's Cardiff operations.

Mr. Redwood

[holding answer 20 July 1990]: No decisions have yet been taken on the future ownership of ECGD's insurance services operations. The normal competition legislation and procedures will apply.