HC Deb 07 November 1955 vol 545 cc1453-5
6. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to secure the ending of the United Nations embargo on trade with China.

28. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to secure the revision of the lists or goods and materials that it is permissible to export to China.

Mr. H. Macmillan

The strategic controls on trade with China are kept under continuous review. But I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

Mr. Wilson

Is not the position of Her Majesty's Government on this question now quite indefensible and cynical almost to the point of dishonesty? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Since this embargo was put on because of Chinese intervention in the war in Korea, is it not now quite indefensible that the Government should not have taken steps to end this embargo, since fighting in Korea has been over for such a long time?

Mr. Macmillan

I am sorry that the right hon. Gentleman was so comprehensive in his denunciation. These controls were introduced as a result of a resolution of the General Assembly and could be rescinded only by the General Assembly.

Mr. Donnelly

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the second Chinese Five-Year Plan is now being drafted and that if he wants to make the Chinese economy permanently dependent on the Soviet Union he is going the right way about it—unless he takes some initiative? Is that his policy?

Mr. Macmillan

The hon. Member also seems to think that this matter is in the hands of Her Majesty's Government. We are one of the members of the General Assembly.

Mr. Wilson

Since this embargo was introduced on 18th May, 1951, in the General Assembly because of the fighting in Korea, would the right hon. Gentleman now answer my Question and say what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking in the United Nations to bring to an end an embargo which relates to an entirely different situation from that which appertains today?

Mr. Macmillan

I can only repeat my answer that I have no statement to make today.

7. Mr. H. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the nature of the discussions which he has had with the United States Government about the resumption of trade in non-strategic goods with China.

Mr. H. Macmillan

No such discussions have taken place with the United States Government regarding non-strategic goods.

Mr. Wilson

In his answer to the previous Question, the right hon. Gentleman said that he had no statement to make today. Is he aware that Government spokesmen have been giving that answer for some two-and-a-half years in the House? In view of the fact that one reads in the Press that Mr. Dulles is in discussion with the Chinese authorities about an ending of this embargo, does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it is about time that Her Majesty's Government took the initiative in this matter?

Mr. Macmillan

The right hon. Gentleman is one Question behind. I am dealing with a Question relating to non-strategic goods.

Mr. Paget

Is it not clear that Russia's principal anxiety is lest somebody else should trade with China, and is it not very silly to go on playing Russia's game?

Mr. Macmillan

That is why I am gratified that trade in non-strategic goods, to which this Question refers, has risen during this year and in the nine months of this year is equal to that for the whole of last year.

Mr. Wilson

The right hon. Gentleman is making great play of the phrase "non-strategic." Will he not take steps immediately to put these strategic controls in relation to China on the same basis as the strategic controls on trade with Eastern Europe?

Mr. Macmillan

The right hon. Gentleman is still one Question behind. I have done my best to keep up.