asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what low financial charges may be offered in respect of exports by the joint stock banks with his authority.

Interest and other charges by the banks are a matter between the banks and their customers, but by agreement, they now charge a fixed 5½ per cent. a year for a wide area of credit guaranteed by E.C.G.D., and negotiations are continuing on the new E.C.G.D. facilities to support short-term export finance at bank rate, as announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th July.