HC Deb 03 February 1964 vol 688 cc805-6
15. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been received by Her Majesty's Government from the Government of the United States of America with regard to the recent order for buses which Leyland Motors have secured from Cuba; and what was the nature of the reply sent by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. P. Thomas

None, Sir. The United States Government were informed in October last that the contract was being negotiated, and there were subsequent discussions with them on this subject.

Mr. Fernyhough

Is the Minister trying to tell me that Her Majesty's Government did not make it perfectly clear to the United States that they would be offended if they laid down the condition that any British ships carrying these buses to Cuba would be blacklisted and denied port facilities in the United States? Does he not think it a crying scandal that an export order of this magnitude, which means work for thousands of people in this country, should have to be carried by Communist ships? Does not he think that, if he cannot get the United States to see sense on this issue, it would be a good thing that we should tell them that we shall blacklist Polaris and withdraw the facilities of Holy Loch from them?

Mr. Thomas

The hon. Member knows that the last part of his supplementary question is purely polemical. The only restrictions which apply to trade between this country and Cuba are those prohibiting the export of military and strategic material, and the United States appreciate that. The export of buses does not come within those restrictions, and we saw no reason to intervene in what was a normal commercial transaction.

Mr. Mayhew

Should not it be quite clear to all the countries involved that, even if desirable, which it is not, an economic blockade of Cuba is wholly impracticable? Should not we have learned by now, after long experience, that trade and contacts with Communist countries, even in the face of provocation, work to our advantage in the long run?

Mr. Thomas

I would go further and say that trade and contacts with countries which are non-Communist also work to our advantage.

Mr. Fernyhough

If Her Majesty's Government believe that this is fair and legitimate trade, can the Minister explain why not one of the undertakings controlling the 22 million tons of merchant shipping which we have could be found to take this order?

Mr. Thomas

I cannot answer for merchant shipping companies.