HC Deb 17 April 1956 vol 551 cc825-6
11. Sir L. Plummer

asked the President of the Board of Trade what advice and help he has given to British exporters who have been threatened with boycott by Arab countries as a result of their trading with Israel.

Mr. Low

How far the Board of Trade or Her Majesty's Commercial Diplomatic Officers in the countries concerned can usefully give help or advice depends on the circumstances of each case, which may vary widely. It is, of course, for the firms themselves to decide in the light of their own views and interests, whether or not they will comply with the requirements of the Arab boycott.

Sir L. Plummer

Is the Minister aware that certain Arab countries, encouraged by their success in stopping flights of B.O.A.C. to Israel, are putting every pressure they can on British exporters to stop British trade with Israel? Will he consider what positive steps can be taken to protect those exporters from this form of blackmail?

Mr. Low

As regards protests made by Her Majesty's Government to those countries, that of course is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary. We neither accept nor condone this practice, and we have been able to give help to individual exporters, particularly if they have been wrongly blacklisted.

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