§ 3. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the United States authorities to prevent any further loss of orders arising from their refusal to authorise American patent owners to allow British engineering firms to offer plant and processes containing such patents to Russia or other East European buyers.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreNone, Sir. If we had information of a specific case where such controls had been operated by the United States authorities and had prevented British exports, we would certainly consider what action could usefully be taken.
§ Mr. AllaunWhilst thanking the Minister for that Answer, may I ask him whether it is not a fact that two orders worth millions of pounds, one for an oil refinery and the other for a complete chemical factory, have been lost to Britain for this reason? If I could produce the evidence, would the right hon. Gentleman seek to end this policy which is being insisted upon in certain cases by the American State Department?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreWe would very gladly look into a specific case. I think that a number of firms are in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about this matter, but up till now we have had no specific instance of the United States authorities intervening. If there are such cases, we will certainly look into them.