§ 27. Mr. Dugdaleasked the President of the Board of Trade what advice he has given to British firms who trade with Israel.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe advice I have given to British firms who trade with Israel has depended on the questions they have asked.
§ Mr. DugdaleHave any of them asked whether or not they should subject themselves to the form of blackmail which the Arab States are now placing on them by suggesting that if they trade with Israel they will lose Arab trade? If such a question is put to them, will the President support them in continuing their lawful trade with Israel?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think we should advise them on what decisions to take in their own commercial interest, but we certainly do not recognise the right of these Arab countries to use their dispute with Israel to take measures harmful to British firms, and we have protested to the Governments concerned accordingly.
Mr. H. WilsonHas the President seen a report that some powerful interests in shipping are getting together to form a cartel undertaking not to trade with Israel in return for some concessions from Arab countries? Will the Government make clear their abhorrence of this kind of cartel of getting together to boycott a friendly country?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, but if the right hon. Gentleman will send me details I will gladly look into the matter.