HL Deb 05 December 1961 vol 236 cc1-3

2.36 p.m.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the OrderPaper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been drawn to proposals recently announced in the Press emanating from official advisers to the United States Government suggesting the possible use by the N.A.T.O. countries of trade restrictions mainly for the purpose of influencing the political policies of China and the Soviet bloc ; and whether they will state that they will not bea party to any such action which would disrupt and weaken N.A.T.O.;exacerbate the critical situation for British exports; and be injurious to the long-term industrial interests of this country.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE)

My Lords, I take it that the noble Viscount has in mind a report by a Mr. Samuel Pisar, entitled A New Look at Trade Policy toward the Communist Bloc, which was prepared for a sub-committee of the Joint Economic Committee of the United States Congress. This report is one of several study papers prepared by scholars and experts at the request of this sub-committee to assist them in their researches. It is the work of aprivate individual. It cannot, therefore, be taken as an official statement of United States policy, nor can we judge how much weight will be attached to it when it comes to be considered by the Committee.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

My Lords, I thank the noble Marquess for his Answer. Of course, it is quite fantastic that advisers to the American Government should come forwardwith any such suggestions as these. But if such proposals come along, will Her Majesty's Government bear in mind in relation to them that in 1957 they themselves, to their great credit, took the initiative in dismantling some of the worst rigours of the Chinese embargo, even without the consent of America and COCOM, and that all the otherEuropean countries in COCOM later followed suit?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I think that the noble Viscount will be aware that recentlyHer Majesty's Government have effected a rather satisfactory trade with China in aircraft. I think the noble Viscount will have read about it. I want to emphasise, so that there will be no misunderstanding, that this report to which the noble Viscount referred is only one of a series of studies which are being submitted to this Committee, and they must not in any way be considered as being representative of American Governmental opinion.

LORD LATHAM

My Lords, can we therefore regard this Question as one of a series?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

As one of a series of Questions? The noble Lord must put that to the noble Viscount.

BARONESS SUMMERSKILL

My Lords, would not the noble Marquess agree that the proposal of this individual, if it were implemented, would amount to economic sanction, and is that not unprecedented during peace time?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, I do not know whether the noble Baroness has had an opportunity of reading this report. I will not pretend for one moment that I have read the whole of it myself. But Mr. Pisar discusses in greatdetail what the possibilities might be, if some sort of economic embargo were brought in. That is his job. He has to study all eventualities so that the sub-committee which looks at this subject will be able to form an opinion on this report and other similar reports produced by men of equal distinction to Mr. Pisar's.

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