§ 10. Mr. Amessasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received regarding trade between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkNone. Provisional figures for January to April 1987 show a satisfactory increase in United Kingdom exports to the market.
§ Mr. AmessWill the Minister take this opportunity to congratulate Yardleys of Basildon on winning substantial new orders for its products in Saudi? Will he and his colleagues tackle the French about imposing trade barriers in the form of complicated labelling requirements on aerosol sprays and the like?
§ Mr. ClarkI am certainly glad to congratulate Yardleys on winning further orders. Indeed, total cosmetic exports to Saudi Arabia total over £39 million. At present there are difficulties relating to labelling and the definition of standards in that market. I hope that Yardleys will take up the matter with officials in my Department, who will try to help the company to overcome the difficulties.
§ Mr. DalyellWhen Shorts of Belfast exported Blowpipe missiles to Saudi Arabia, did the end user certificates reveal how many of those Blowpipe missiles found their way to Afghanistan?
§ Mr. ClarkThe disclosure of end user certificates is something that is not—[Interruption.] It has been the practice of Governments not to make public information relating to end user certificates — [HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."] I am reading from my own answer, which was in the Official Report yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Monklands, West (Mr. Clarke).