asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the terms and conditions under which facilities under the exports credit scheme can be granted to exporters of goods to Soviet Russia, particularly as regards the time limit, the percentage of the risk which the exporter will have to carry, and the rate of interest charged per annum for the accommodation?

It is not the practice to publish the terms and conditions on which facilities under the export credits guarantee scheme are given in the case of particular countries or importers.

Is the hon. Gentle man aware that, because these figures are not made known, it is very detrimental to those who want to export goods to Russia; and is he also aware that Russian buyers are asking for five years' credit, and his Department is offering only 12 months?

In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, I would point out that if they apply to the Department, they can get the terms, but it is not considered that a public announcement is advisable.

Did they not apply in the case of the order for 3,000,000 pairs of boots from Northampton?

My information is that there was no definite application.

May I ask for an answer to the second part of my supplementary question?

The hon. Gentleman is trying to ask, in other words, the question which I have told him cannot be answered.

Is it not the policy of the Government to consider each individual application on its merits, and to treat Anglo-Russian transactions exactly the same as those of other countries?

Yes, that is the policy on broad lines, but it is rather different, seeing that the trade is in the hands of the Government in the case of Russia.

Is it not a fact that the hon. Gentleman and his Department have no confidence whatever as regards giving trade facilities to Russia?

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the same length of credit is not given to Russia as to other countries?

Yes, but that would mean my going into the reasons which actuate the committee.