HC Deb 03 May 1956 vol 552 cc579-80
23. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a White Paper giving further details of the range of industrial goods that are required by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics but are subject to strategic restrictions; and to what extent this would benefit British trade and industry.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The detailed information asked for by the hon. Member was published last Tuesday and will be republished in the Board of Trade Journal this week. This shows the large proportion of goods on the Russian list that are unaffected by strategic controls. We welcome this scope for increased trade with the Soviet Union. The full benefit will only be seen when individual contracts have been concluded in due course with the Soviet purchasing organisations.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that there has been a renewed interest, since the publication of the White Paper and the document to which he has referred, in the whole question of trade with Soviet Russia, especially by firms in the West of Scotland? Does he not think it time to go over the whole question of revising the strategic list?

Mr. Thorneycroft

That raises a different question.

Mr. Bottomley

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the days of the hydrogen bomb these strategic controls are not of great value? Further, is it possible for him to say whether the Soviet Union is prepared to place orders even if the strategic list continues?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Certainly. It is not conditional upon the removal of the strategic controls; a greater part of the Soviet proposals are not affected by the strategic list.