§ 14. Mr. Whitneyasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether other EEC Governments have yet fulfilled the expectation he declared on 25th May 1978 that they would follow a reporting format for their national companies operating in South 17 Africa similar to Annex 3 of Command Paper No. 7233.
§ Mr. John SmithThe West German and Belgian Governments have sent the United Kingdom reporting format to their employers' organisations and the Danish Government have sent out a reporting instruction based upon the United Kingdom White Paper which was at the same time enclosed for information.
We shall continue to impress upon our partners in the Nine our strong views in favour of a common reporting format.
§ Mr. WhitneyDoes the Secretary of State accept that, although it is important that there should be a steady improvement in the working conditions of black people in South Africa, it is also important that the British Government do nothing to put British companies in South Africa at a disadvantage compared with their international competitors?
§ Mr. SmithWe believe that the code takes account of the realities of the situation in a practical way. If it were more widely adopted we would make progress. The United Kingdom has taken a useful lead in this matter.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyWill my right hon. Friend ensure not only that all the EEC Governments accede to the code of conduct but that they take active steps to ensure that it is operated? Does he agree that while the evil of apartheid is allowed to continue it is essential that Britain should be seen not to be contributing towards making circumstances even worse for the black workers of South Africa?
§ Mr. SmithI agree with the necessity of seeing practical results. That is why we did not leave the matter on the basis of accord but sought to achieve agreement on a reporting format. The United Kingdom has taken a lead. We shall continue to press our views upon the Nine. We have commended the formula to all the OECD countries. We shall continue to do so.