HC Deb 19 June 1978 vol 952 cc26-8
20. Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he intends to grant an export licence for four Rolls-Royce Avon engines belonging to Chile following the court order.

Mr. Dell

A decision will be made in due course.

Mr. Wall

Does not the Secretary of State agree that these engines belong to Chile and that, as a trading nation, it is important for us to fulfil our obligations, which, I understand, have been confirmed in a court of law?

Mr. Dell

The decision of the court of law is as the hon. Gentleman says. We now have an application for an export licence, which we are considering.

Mr. Adley

What does the right hon. Gentleman really mean by in due course"? Is it not a fact that these engines were sent here in 1973, that they belong to another Government, that a court order has clearly said that the British Government should return those engines to their owners as soon as possible, and that the world knows that it is the shop stewards at East Kilbride and the Tribune Group, which is continuing its vendetta against Chile, who are frightening the Government into not sending the engines back to their owners? Why does not the right hon. Gentleman have the courage of his convictions for once?

Mr. Dell

These products are subject to an export licence and obviously we have to consider whether, in this case, a licence should be issued. We are now considering that. Our responsibility in considering that issue is a separate question from the court decision.

Mr. Heffer

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, whatever decision the Government might take on the basis of legalistic arguments, most of us on this side of the House would argue that because of the undemocratic nature of the Pinochet regime, and because it is basically a Fascist regime which overthrew a democratic Government, we are perfectly happy with the action that the workers have taken in this matter?

Mr. Dell

I simply say to my hon. Friend that the Government, as well as the workers, have to obey the law in this country.

Mr. Tebbit

Is it Government policy to refuse export licences for aero engines to countries that have anti-democratic regimes which have arrived in power through revolution? If so, there will be an awful shortage of jobs in the aero industry in this country.

Mr. Dell

The Government have not decided to refuse an export licence in this case. We are considering the matter. We shall make a decision in due course.