Cambodia (Hansard, 31 October 1990)

§ 1. Mr. Dalyell
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about trade with Cambodia.

§ The Minister for Trade (Mr. Tim Sainsbury)
In 1989 our exports were worth £530,000 and our imports £220,000.

§ Mr. Dalyell
Why does the Minister suppose that British-made mines found their way to Cambodia?

§ Mr. Sainsbury
I assure the hon. Gentleman that there was no military material in those exports.

§ Mr. McAllion
As we are dealing with Asia, will the Minister confirm that Government Whips have ordered the Scottish Office Minister with responsibility for trade to return from an important trade mission to Japan to vote against dog registration tonight? Does he agree that this represents a disgraceful order of priorities? The Minister is being asked to assist in defeating dog registration—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. What does this have to do with Cambodia?

§ Mr. McAllion
Asia, Mr. Speaker. [Interruption.] Conservative Members may not like it, but they will have to listen to my supplementary question. Is it not—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I am unable to hear what the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is about while there is so much noise in the Chamber.

§ Mr. McAllion
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister agree that his colleague's return from Japan represents a disgraceful order of priorities? Dog registration is being elevated to a degree of importance above that of securing important Asian markets for Scottish commerce and industry. Is not it time that trade Ministers slipped the leash of the fanatic at No. 10 and started to put national priorities first?

§ Mr. Sainsbury
The hon. Gentleman has a hazy knowledge of geography. I do not think that any of his questions arises from Question 1.