asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much coffee has been destroyed by Brazil during each of the last three years; and whether he has any statement to make as to the feasibility of the Government entering into negotiation with the Brazilian Government with a view to acquiring such surplus coffee in the current or future years, in whole or in part, towards liquidation of Brazil's indebtedness in respect of loans raised in this country, and for the purpose of being stored against any possible national emergency?

According to figures issued by the National Coffee Department in Brazil, the amount of coffee destroyed was, in 1935, 1936 and 1937 respectively, 1,693,112 bags, 3,731,154 bags and 17,196,428 bags, each bag consisting of 60 kilos. His Majesty's Government do not regard the suggestion in the second part of the question as feasible.

Does the Minister not see that it is impossible for a country like Brazil to repay its indebtedness to us unless we are prepared to accept imports from that country?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Export Credits Department has guaranteed any credits for the export of goods to Italy during the past year; and, if so, for what value?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how much money has been guaranteed to firms under the exports credits scheme in respect of goods exported to Italy during each of the three last years?

Guarantees have been given by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in the ordinary course of its business in the last three years in connection with the export of United Kingdom goods to Italy, but it is not the practice to state the amount of the Department's commitments in respect of any particular country.

Then it is impossible for us to keep any check upon the Government if they wish to extend credits in this indirect way to Italy?

Have the exports credits to Italy been remunerative, or has there been a loss to the Exchequer?

So far as I know they are being paid off as they fall due.

How much?

Why is information being withheld from this House when guarantees are given, and should not the House be able to find out how much money is being lent to various countries under Government guarantee?

The hon. Member will remember that the matter was discussed when the Bill was passing through the House last year, and that it was decided that the reasons given for witholding the information were adequate and satisfactory.

Can the right hon. Gentleman suggest any way by which this House can be informed of increased credits granted in this way to Italy?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of aircraft exported by the Bristol and Gloster aeroplane companies, respectively, to foreign countries during 1937 and up to the latest available date in 1938?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 22nd February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what part the British Council of Art and Industry is taking in the Empire Exhibition of this year at Glasgow and the exhibition next year in New York;

(2) whether any financial assistance is being given to the British Council of Art and Industry in connection with forthcoming exhibitions?

Approval has been given to expenditure from public funds by the Scottish Committee of the Council for Art and Industry of an amount not exceeding £4,000 to provide an exhibit at the Empire Exhibition at Glasgow. The committee will also be responsible for the erection and furnishing of a house and two flats at the exhibition, but in this case no part of the cost will fall upon public funds. No arrangements have been made for participation by the council in any other forthcoming exhibition.

Is the Scottish Committee a branch of the council which was responsible for the rather unfortunate pavilion in the Paris Exhibition?

I would rather see that question on the Paper.

May I ask whether the committee has been reorganised?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations from the National Joint Industrial Council for the coir mat and matting industry relative to the depressed state of that industry; and what answer has been returned to those representations?

My right hon. Friend informed the National Joint Industrial Council for the Coir Mat and Matting Industry that the representations made to him on 16th December would receive consideration. No more definite reply can be given at present, but these representations are being borne in mind in the trade negotiations with India.