HC Deb 02 February 1956 vol 548 c1063
24. Mr. Proctor

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a current list of all articles which may not be exported from this country to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and a similar list of the articles which may not be exported to China from this country.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The list of goods embargoed for the Soviet countries of Eastern Europe was published in the Board of Trade Journal of 16th October, 1954, and certain subsequent amendments were published on 20th August. 1955. The classes of goods embargoed for China in June, 1951, were published in the Board of Trade Journal of 23rd June of that year. Platform and fork-lift trucks were added in April, 1953. and ordinary passenger cars and sodium peroxide were removed from the list in October, 1953.

Mr. Proctor

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing these in the OFFICIAL REPORT SO that an up-to-date statement is easily accessible to us? Is there evidence that our action is preventing either of these countries from obtaining these supplies, or are we merely damaging our own trade? If the China list is larger than the Soviet list, which I understand to be the case, is it not unwise for us to channel our trade with China through the Soviet Union?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The questions which the hon. Gentleman now asks raise much wider issues of the effect and purpose of strategic controls in general. His Question asks what the lists are. I will certainly give consideration to his request and see whether I can publish the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT, if it is not too bulky.