HC Deb 19 September 1950 vol 478 c1717
41. Major Guy Lloyd

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of British firms supplying equipment to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which can be of assistance to that country's war potential.

Mr. Bottomley

No, Sir. It is the responsibility of His Majesty's Government to decide what goods may safely be exported from the United Kingdom, and I see no reason why I should advertise the names of firms engaged in legitimate trade.

Major Lloyd

The Minister said that he would not publish a list of these firms. In view of the revelations and concessions which had to be dragged from the Government yesterday on this whole question, surely the public ought to be informed what other firms—and there are many—have been doing the same thing, and a great deal more, for a long time?