HC Deb 15 February 1956 vol 548 cc2347-8
24. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now arrange for revision of the list of articles which may not be exported to China from this country.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have nothing to add to the statement on the Washington talks made by the Prime Minister on 13th February.

Mr. Allaun

Will the Minister press for the real and substantial revision indicated by the early reports in the Press of the Washington talks, and not the sham revision indicated in later reports? When will it begin? Does the Minister appreciate that there is a danger of losing permanently this vast market for British goods and also the opportunity of reducing East-West tension?

Mr. Lloyd

We are agreed that the test with regard to decontrol is the extent to which it serves the interests of the free world. The whole list will be gone through, bearing that test in mind, and the process has begun.