§ 1. Mr. Osborneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the current list of the goods which British industry is permitted to export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, and Czechoslovakia but is prohibited from exporting to China; and what are the reasons for this particular discrimination against trade with China.
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 7th February.
§ Mr. OsborneWere any tangible results achieved in Washington on this difficult subject between the Prime Minister and President Eisenhower when they recently met? Secondly, when he looks at the whole problem, will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that we are now buying at least twice as much from behind the Iron Curtain as countries there are buying from us? Will he bear that side of East-West trade in mind in future negotiations?
§ Mr. LloydIn reply to the first supplementary, it was stated in the communiqué issued after the Washington talks that the controls would be reviewed now and periodically bearing in mind the test which was stated in the communiqué. In regard to the second question, of course I will bear that in mind.
§ Mr. BottomleyCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether there will be the same amount of trade permitted with the other countries as we hope will, in time, be permitted with China?
§ Mr. BottomleyThose within the Eastern bloc.
§ Mr. LloydIt is the policy of the Government gradually to increase trade with countries behind the Iron Curtain.
§ 15. Mr. Parkinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the decision of the Belgian Government to request the Consultative Group Co-ordination Committee on East-West Trade to scale down the scope of the embargoes on trade with China; and whether he will now instruct Her Majesty's Government's representative on the Committee to make similar proposals.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydI assume that the hon. Member is referring to a statement made in the Belgian Senate on 16th February by Monsieur Larock, the Belgian Minister for External Trade. As the Prime Minister informed the House on 13th February, the controls on trade in strategic materials with China are now being reviewed and it is hoped that proposals to this end will be brought before the China Committee in due course.
§ Mr. ParkinIs the Minister aware that that Answer will give satisfaction, and that it indicates that Her Majesty's Government are intending, however belatedly, to recapture the initiative in this very important matter concerning British exports and world peace?
§ Captain DuncanDoes my right hon. and learned Friend appreciate the great confidence shown in him by hon. Members opposite? Is he aware that it is not necessary for hon. Members on this side of the House to put down Questions in order to show our confidence in him?