The right hon. Gentleman is making it appear as though Her Majesty's Government are doing nothing to encourage trade with Pakistan and are not interested in trade with Pakistan. Nothing could be further from the truth. Since 1959, we have committed loans amounting to over £43 million to Pakistan. [HON. MEMBERS: "Stick to the point and answer."] I think that the right hon. Gentleman knows the position as well as I can describe it to him or to the House.

The position is that, in those circumstances, it was thought right originally not to give long-term credit. On the other hand, a great deal of short-term credit is given, as the House knows. However, my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade announced, during the course of last year's Budget debate, that a certain amount of long-term credit would be made available. Inevitably, limits have to be imposed.

I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it is not certain that this contract will go to France, and, in any case, I can assure him that there are plenty of other parts of the world where we are taking a good deal of business from France.