§ 25. Mr. Wallasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value, respectively, of armaments and of other exports supplied in each of the past five years to the Republic of South Africa; 1532 and what is the expected value of similar exports during the coming year.
§ Mr. GreenThe annual values of our total exports to the Republic of South Africa are obtainable from Account IV of the appropriate December issues of the Trade and Navigation Accounts. It is not our policy to disclose the total value of armaments exported to other countries. As far as total exports to South Africa are concerned, they have been rising in recent months, and we expect them to reach a higher level this year than in recent past years.
§ Mr. WallIs my hon. Friend aware that any cancellations of orders for supersonic naval strike aircraft, which incidentally are wholly unsuitable in terms of security duties, could cause unemployment in east Yorkshire? Would not my hon. Friend agree that the cancellation of orders for political pm-poses is bound to have repercussions on our export trade?
§ Mr. GreenIn general, I agree with my hon. Friend's comment on that, but he will appreciate that if he has a specific question on that point it is a matter for the Foreign Office and not for me.