HC Deb 13 March 1968 vol 760 cc1349-50
10. Mr. Biffen

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the British National Exports Council with a view to promoting trade with the Republic of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Crosland

There is continuous consultation with the B.N.E.C. Area Committee for Southern Africa with a view to expanding our exports of non-military goods.

Mr. Biffen

In view of the immense economic potential of this market and its likely political stability, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in this instance there is a case for a specific representation on his part to underline the importance he and his Department attach to this market?

Mr. Crosland

The B.N.E.C. Area Committee for Southern Africa is perfectly well seized of the importance of this market as a whole, as is the Board of Trade. Subject to the ban on military goods, it is certainly a market which we want to see developed.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that in the debate on arms exports, the suggestion of his hon. Friend the Member for York (Mr. Alexander W. Lyon) that ordinary trade with South Africa was of doubtful morality, was not repudiated by the Front Bench, though Ministers were asked to repudiate it? Will he make it perfectly clear it is the Government's policy to encourage and not discourage, this valuable trade?

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

On a point of order. The argument, as I recollect it, was not that it was of doubtful morality but that it was—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That is a point of debate, not of order.

Mr. Crosland

I regret that I did not have the pleasure of hearing my hon. Friend's speech on that occasion, but I have before me a quotation from the winding-up speech of my right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State, which made it perfectly clear that the Government wished to develop normal commercial and trading relations with South Africa.