I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend refers to the recent appointment of Mr. W. M. Kirkpatrick as representative of the Export Credits Guarantee Department in China. His duties are to investigate proposals submitted for guarantee and to furnish the Department and its Advisory Committee with the necessary information on which they can base their decisions. His reports relate solely to transactions with exporters which the Department is pledged to treat in confidence, and in these circumstances I regret that I cannot make a detailed statement on the subject of his activities.