§ 18. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received about the implications of the Arab boycott on British exports.
§ Mr. NeedhamI receive representations about the Arab boycott from time to time, but we cannot measure its effect on United Kingdom exports.
§ Mr. MarshallDoes my hon. Friend accept that such an iniquitous boycott must affect the level of United Kingdom exports? As the German and American Governments are willing to legislate against the boycott, will he explain why the British Government will not? May we have an assurance that the matter will he discussed at the forthcoming G7 conference?
§ Mr. NeedhamI cannot give such an assurance to my hon. Friend, but I will make sure that his comments are passed on. We have not followed the line taken by the Governments of the United States or Germany because in this matter we take the views of British companies and exporters carefully into account. Those companies do not believe that the introduction of such legislation in this country would be effective, because it would be unenforceable.