HC Deb 30 May 1956 vol 553 cc234-5
40. Mr. Owen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that British Far-East trading interests are concerned by the limits upon trade development in the area enforced by the present strategic list; and whether he will now review the list and assist the development of British trade.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The reply to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir." As regards the second part, I have nothing to add to the Answers given on 14th May by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Members for New-castle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) and Northfield (Mr. Chapman) in which he indicated that more use would be made of the exceptions procedure.

Mr. Owen

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British trading interests in the Far East are seriously disturbed and frustrated by the rigid Government policy that limits the development of British interests in trading in this area? Surely the "new look" in the international field provides an opportunity for an urgent re-examination of the position in the interests of Britain's economy?

Mr. Lloyd

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that there is a considerable body of agreement on both sides of the House that this is not a satisfactory situation. On the other hand, we have to try to act in this matter with our Allies. I think we are taking the wisest course in the present circumstances by the step forward which I have indicated of using the exceptions procedure to broaden trade.

Mr. Younger

I quite agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said about working with our Allies, but is it not the case that the only one of our Allies who wishes to maintain this in anything like its present form is the United States? The more countries come to think that it is absurd the more evasion there is and the more our traders—who, I think, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are observing the regulations—are likely to suffer in comparison with the traders of other countries.

Mr. Lloyd

In the latter part of his supplementary question the right hon. Gentleman has stated the best reasons for the revision of the list.