Vol. 477 No. 7
141 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amounts paid out for claims under the export credit scheme in relation to beef since the scheme started; the individual amounts paid out in each year; the period which was relevant to each claim paid; and the amounts, if any, which are considered to be recoverable. [10238/97]
Since the establishment of my Department in 1993 to date, no claims have been paid out in respect of beef exports. However, a total of £8 million was paid in respect of claims under the export credit insurance and finance schemes in relation to beef in previous years.
The bulk of these claims, £6.9 million, relates to claims paid out in 1990 relating to exports made during 1988. A further significant amount, £0.8 million, was paid out in 1986 relating to exports made in 1985. Less significant amounts, totalling £0.3 million, were paid in earlier years.
It is not considered that any amounts will be recoverable in respect of claims paid prior to 1990, as these mainly covered commercial defaults. Legal proceedings have been initiated in relation to the recovery of the 1990 claims.
