HC Deb 10 February 1971 vol 811 c187W
Mr. Fidler

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he is aware that Mobil Shipping is co-operating in an Arab State boycott of British firms by instructing ships' chandlers in Great Britain not to provide Mobil tankers with its products of Israeli origin or appearing to be of Jewish or Israeli origin; and if he will advise all British firms to ignore such instructions and reject such threats of retaliation or boycott.

Mr. Anthony Grant

As has been repeatedly stated in the House, Her Majesty's Government are opposed to trade and shipping boycotts including the Arab States' boycott of firms trading with Israel, and indeed to any outside interference with British companies' freedom to trade. It is nevertheless for each company to decide in the light of its own commercial interests what its attitude is to be towards such boycotts.