HC Deb 23 April 1963 vol 676 cc20-1
28. Mr. Rankin

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he had with American Ministers during his recent visit to the United States on the matter of strategic exports to State-trading countries.

Mr. Green

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Tuesday, 9th April to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler).

Mr. Rankin

Does the Minister realise that we have had a number of replies to this Question—some of them to myself? Does he further realise that none of those replies has been satisfactory? Can he tell us what is happening about this suggested business of the steel pipes, and trade with Russia? Is it the case that the South Durham company concerned in the matter has now been told to ease up on the whole business? Can the Minister say which of the authorities now running British foreign trade has instructed the company in respect of this matter? Is it the British Government, the United States Government, or some other authority?

Mr. Green

Perhaps it would be safer for me to answer the question in the terms in which it was originally put. The list of embargoed goods is reviewed at approximately twelve-monthly intervals, as the hon. Member knows. The list was much reduced in 1958. Since then there has been only one list, which applies to exports to all Sino-Soviet bloc countries. There is no special list for China. The hon. Member can well understand the position that arises in the case of the steel pipes to Russia. So far as I know, at this moment there is no specific order in front of any company.

Mr. Jay

Since the suggestion has been made, can the hon. Gentleman deny that any obstacle is being placed by the Government in the way of the South Durham company exporting steel pipes from this country?

Mr. Green

No specific obstacle has been placed in the path of the South Durham company's bidding for this order.