§ 5. Sir L. Plummerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties caused to British exporters to the Middle East by restrictions imposed by the Arab countries regarding trade with Israel; and whether, in consultation with the London Chamber of Commerce, he will consider what steps can be taken to defend the interests of British firms conducting legitimate trade with friendly countries.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. The Board of Trade give United Kingdom exporters all practicable assistance and keep in close touch on this matter with representative trade organisations, including the London Chamber of Commerce.
§ Sir L. PlummerWill the President consider even closer relations with the 2183 London Chamber of Commerce, for the reason that the Chamber refuses to certify whether a firm is Jewish, has Jewish directors or shareholders, or is in any way concerned with Jews, but will not refuse similar information when asked whether firms are trading with Israel? The reason is that the assistance of the British Government is needed to offset the Arab boycott. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider with his right hon. Friends what can be done to stop this interference with the perfectly legitimate rights of British exporters to trade with a foreign country such as Israel?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftOf course, I deplore this practice as much as the hon. Member does—there is no question about that—and I will examine what he has said. I have read a number of Questions and Answers, many of them addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary, on this point. I do not see any further course of action open to the British Government at present, but I will certainly look at any recommendations which the hon. Member makes.
Mr. H. WilsonIs the right hon. Gentleman yet in a position to say whether he is satisfied that these restrictions do not conflict with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThey would conflict if the Arab States were members of the General Agreement.
| United Kingdom Imports of Citrus Fruit | Tons | |||||
| — | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | ||
| Citrus Fruit— | ||||||
| Fresh— | ||||||
| British West Indies * | … | … | 3,996 | 7,098 | 4,345 | 7,209 |
| United States | … | … | 6 | 8 | 2,832 | 8,237 |
| Israel | … | … | 80,882 | 118,247 | 149,556 | 116,906 |
| Preserved— | ||||||
| British West Indies* | … | … | 1,622 | 2,012 | 2,293 | 2,704 |
| United States | … | … | 0 | 0 | 1,708 | 1,804 |
| Israel | … | … | 146 | 137 | 957 | 691 |
| Juices— | ||||||
| British West Indies* | … | … | 8,934 | 11,602 | 8,772 | 11,799 |
| United States | … | … | 8 | 1,144 | 1,851 | 3,086 |
| Israel | … | … | 4,474 | 3,149 | 3,333 | 3,119 |
| Total— | ||||||
| British West Indies* | … | … | 14,552 | 20,712 | 15,410 | 21,712 |
| United States | … | … | 14 | 1,152 | 6,391 | 13,127 |
| Israel | … | … | 85,502 | 121,533 | 153,846 | 120,716 |
| *Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago. |
Mr. DugdaleIs the President not prepared to consider at least whether it would not be possible to place restrictions on the importation of goods from the countries in question to Great Britain if they continue to exercise discrimination against British goods?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI doubt whether the answer to racial discrimination is counter-racial discrimination. We have got to look at it in some other way.