HL Deb 26 November 1963 vol 253 cc577-8

2.38 p.m.

LORD COLYTON

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what reply has been received from the United States authorities regarding the reported supplying of spare parts for American built troop transports belonging to the Indonesian Government.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CARRINGTON)

My Lords, we have ascertained that the spares in question have no connection with United States aid to Indonesia, but are being supplied by a commercial firm under long-standing contract. An export licence applied for by the firm in connection with this contract was approved in September. No application has been made since then, and we are asking the United States Government not to grant one.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, in view of the terrible tragedy which has stricken the United States and the world since I first raised this issue, I do not propose to put any supplementary questions this afternoon or to press the matter any further to-day.