HC Deb 10 July 1957 vol 573 c350
11. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the criteria by which he determines whether circumstances are sufficiently exceptional to justify exempting goods in individual cases from the embargo prohibiting their export to the Soviet bloc.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The details of the Co-ordinating Committee procedures and criteria are confidential. However, broadly speaking, exceptional exports of embargoed goods to the Soviet bloc have been confined to spare parts for equipment already supplied or shipments of trivial value.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that the export of astronomical clocks for use by Russia in connection with the Geophysical Year is embargoed by Britain? Further, is he aware that our manufacturers are prohibited from selling jig borers, gear shapers and thread grinders to the Soviet bloc although several Communist countries manufacture and export these machines?

Mr. Lloyd

If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of any matter of which he has spoken, I will certainly undertake to look into them.