asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the latest arrangements made by him through the Export Credits Guarantee Department, or otherwise, to finance exports by British exporters to European countries, indicating how far the same facilities exist in regard to all European countries; and, where there are differences what official facilities exist in relation to each particular European country.

Exports from this country are not financed by the Government but by the commercial banks or from other private resources. Such financing is often assisted by the guarantee of the Export Credits Guarantee Department. The Department's facilities are available for exports to all European countries though special terms apply to special cases.

In this matter does the President of the Board of Trade realise that the claims of all parts of Britain are not identical? Will he have regard to the special claims of certain areas, such as the North-East of Scotland, to facilities of the kind mentioned in the Question?

I hardly think that we could vary the terms of insurance according to the source of the exports. All exports are equally good far us and we do all we can to promote them from all areas.