Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will look at the figures for which he has asked. They are fairly complicated.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Yes, Sir. In order to encourage earnings of foreign currencies it is intended that the Export Credits Guarantee Department shall, as from 1st May, dispense generally with detailed examination of such transactions when merchants, whose trade is 90 per cent. or more in United Kingdom goods, seek cover for their trade in foreign goods. There is, of course, no change in the Government's general...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Yes, Sir. The object of the decision is to try to expedite the work of the E.C.G.D.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: It has been carefully discussed with the Advisory Committee, other Government Departments and the Exports Credits Guarantee Department.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Both the British Travel and Holidays Association and the Scottish Tourist Board, within their respective spheres, are concerned to encourage the tourist trade in Scotland, and are always ready to help and cooperate with other organisations with the same object in mind. I am sure both the British Travel and Holidays Association and the Scottish Tourist Board will consider most carefully any...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: I was not aware of the facts mentioned by my noble Friend. Perhaps he will let me have details.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: —to Holland for the Dutch sea defences. I was in Holland about a month ago visiting the flooded islands of Goeree and Overflakkee, and I found that they put stone in the bottom of their dykes. I do not know where this stone comes from, but very large quantities are being used. After this debate we shall send a message to our commercial counsellor in The Hague to see if we can dispose of any...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: It was generally agreed at the Commonwealth Economic Conference that import restrictions imposed by a Commonwealth country for balance of payments reasons should be relaxed as its external financial position improved. In the present state of their balance of payments, neither South Africa nor Australia has found it possible to remove the restrictions on the importation of canned pilchards,...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Imports of canned pilchards from South Africa were not admitted under open general licence at any time during 1952 but licences were granted freely to individual importers. It is our intention to continue to admit freely these imports from South Africa.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: The answer is that neither this Government nor its predecessor used import licensing restrictions to protect domestic industries. We do so to protect the balance of payments. If this industry has a case it wants to put forward for an increase in tariffs, of course it will have sympathetic consideration.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: There have so far been no formal discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Brazil on this question. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 22nd January, we have had certain exchanges of views with the Brazilian Ambassador in London, and Her Majesty's Ambassador in Rio de Janeiro has also had informal talks with the Brazilian authorities. But I hope to make...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is well aware of that.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Let me say at once that I entirely agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) that holidays are now recognised by most of us as a necessity for people who are carrying a heavy burden both in agriculture and industry. The Government, I can assure him, will certainly consider his remarks very carefully, for we all know how experienced he is as a...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: The Indian Finance Minister announced changes in import duties to be imposed on all cotton piece goods in his Budget last Friday. I would prefer to await further detailed information by air mail before making a statement to the House. Import licences are not being issued at present for cotton piece goods other than sateens, velvets and velveteens. Cotton piece goods manufactured in, and...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: As I have told my hon. Friend, my right hon. Friend must see the details of this Budget statement before we comment. So far we have seen only the telegrams.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: Certainly, we should be careful about commenting on this matter without seeing the full text.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: The total is £14,399,519. Deficiencies of £3,042,445 were incurred and the net contribution to the Exchequer was £11,357,074. This surplus relates to commercial guarantees only.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: I am very ready to consider any practicable suggestions from the industry on ways in which the Board of Trade can help it in its efforts to increase its overseas sales. The Board's regional representatives in Scotland ensure that firms are informed of the ordinary help to exporters which the Department offers, and details of particular openings for trade, as reported from time to time by...
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: I am only too anxious to do anything I can to help the hon. Member. We are arranging, as soon as the better weather arrives, for one of our regional officers to get round to these remote places, particularly those to which the hon. Member has referred in his discussions with me.
Brigadier Sir Harry Mackeson: I know of no such contract.