HC Deb 18 July 1957 vol 573 c1330
30. Sir L. Plummer

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases the exceptions procedure has been applied to the export of embargoed goods to Poland and Bulgaria, respectively; and what were the goods, amounts and values involved.

Sir D. Eccles

Since the revision of the lists in August, 1954, we have granted one hundred and fifty-one licences for embargoed exports to Poland and four for embargoed exports to Bulgaria. In almost all cases the goods involved were goods in the metals and chemical groups. All but ten were for values of less than £40; and where the values were greater all were for spare parts for equipment previously supplied from this country.

Sir L. Plummer

May I assume from that answer that the President of the Board of Trade will continue to use his maximum efforts to free trade with these countries as he did trade with China?

Sir D. Eccles

That is rather a different question. These are exceptions for goods on the embargo list, and we have said that these have to be rare and only trifling in amounts.

Sir L. Plummer

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay attention to the revision of the embargo list?

Sir D. Eccles

Not for the time being.