HC Deb 10 July 1968 vol 768 cc520-2
37. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the President Of the Board of Trade if he will give details of orders for British aircraft placed by Eastern bloc countries in the last three years; and what measures he is taking or proposing to take to increase sales of aircraft to these countries.

Mr. William Rodgers

Six BAC 111s were ordered by Roumania earlier this year. No other aircraft have been sold to Eastern bloc countries in the last three years. The full range of Government export services is available to help exporters of aircraft.

Mr. Allaun

I declare that I have no financial interest in any aircraft company. Is it not time that this self-defeating embargo, particularly on sales to China, was ended so that British manufacturers can go all-out to obtain orders before the American manufacturers get them?

Mr. Rodgers

I am in favour of obtaining orders wherever we can, but there is not sufficient evidence that the present regulations and a licensing system which applies to all destinations is hindering the export of aircraft. China is a very special case for a number of quite different reasons.

38. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the President of the Board of Trade what limits are at present placed on sales of British aircraft to Eastern bloc countries by the embargo restrictions; and what steps are being taken to review the embargo list with a view to freeing altogether the export of civilian aircraft to the Eastern bloc.

Mr. William Rodgers

All aircraft exports to all destinations require export licences. Licences are not issued for military aircraft for Eastern bloc countries. For civil aircraft each case is considered on its merits. I see no reason to change this policy.

Mr. Allaun

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Joint Committee of the American Congress has declared that this embargo on sales to China is purely psychological, is detrimental, and that such sales will in no way help Chinese military capacity?

Mr. Rodgers

I was not aware of that, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the information. But it still remains the case, as a number of firms which trade to China have discovered, that very special factors are involved. We must also look at the Chinese world position and be very cautious of taking any step which could conceivably be damaging to our wider interests.