asked the Prime Minister when the Government intend to bring in legislation to extend the Trade Facilities Act so that it would apply to other than new capital expenditure?

Mr. GUINNESS:

As the hon. Member was informed in the House by the President of the Board of Trade on the 6th July, the recent announcement that facilities will be given under the Trade Facilities Act to schemes for the modernisation and replacement of plant does not involve any new legislation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Minister of Labour said on 2nd July that no alteration had been made, that the Secretary for War said on 4th July that it was made a fortnight ago, that the Department said on 6th July that no alteration had been made, and will he try to keep a little more synchronisation in the minds of those great Ministers, so that we shall be aware that, at any rate, they are not as dilatory in this matter as the last Parliament?

Mr. GUINNESS:

No alteration is really necessary, because the Act provides for guarantees to be made to all capital undertaking. The limitation applies to working capital, not capital undertakings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware what the questioner meant when he said "synchronisation"?