HC Deb 14 February 1961 vol 634 cc1235-6
38 and 39. Commander Courtney

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what are the amendments he proposes to make to the list of countries contained in the Second Schedule to the Strategic Goods (Control) Order, 1959;

(2) if he will state the amendments necessary to the Export of Goods (Control) Order, 1960, in respect of items whose export from the United Kingdom to any country is prohibited under paragraph 1 (i) of this Order, to enable it to include the provisions of the Strategic Goods (Control) Order, 1959, as amended by the Strategic Goods (Control) (Amendment) Order, 1960, which at present apply only to Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, China and the other countries listed in the Second Schedule to that Order.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Niall Mac pherson)

The Export of Goods (Control) Order, 1960, is made under the Provisions of the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939. There is no power under that Act to amend the Order on the lines suggested. My right hon. Friend is not proposing to amend the Second Schedule to the Strategic Goods (Control) Order. 1959.

Commander Courtney

If this embargo is to be effective, would not my hon. Friend agree that it is necessary to amend it from time to time to include such countries as Cuba and Guinea?

Mr. Macpherson

That is a matter which I shall pass on to my right hon. Friend for consideration.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since this list of embargoed goods is still based on the principle, if not the detail, of forbidding ships which go at more than 12 knots, and since we have now seen a satellite dispatch a rocket towards Venus, would not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is time that the whole question of this embargo list should be looked at again? In order to help the House, which is now more widely in favour of more Anglo-Soviet trade, will he publish a White Paper showing the present list of embargoed goods, so that we have a complete and consolidated list?

Mr. Macpherson

I shall ask my right hon. Friend to consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

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