HL Deb 19 February 1979 vol 398 cc1685-6WA
Lord BROCKWAY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

To publish the text of the revised statement of the Government's position, which is to be included in the new note for the guidance of firms on the Arab boycott.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

Her Majesty's Government are opposed to and deplore all trade boycotts that lack international support and authority. They do not recognise the boycott administration and have no formal communication with the boycott offices. The Government's policy is to maintain friendly relations with the Arab States and Israel and they are therefore against the introduction into commercial documents and transactions, of clauses and undertakings which are intended to restrict the commercial freedom of British firms to trade with all countries in the Middle East. Although the Government have no wish and do not intend to interfere with the ability of individual firms to decide in the light of their own commercial interests what their attitude should be towards the boycott and whether or not or how far they will complete and return questionnaires from boycott offices, they believe that companies will wish to bear in mind this statement of general policy and to avoid, as far as possible, giving undertakings which limit unnecessarily their commercial freedom.

House adjourned at a quarter before eleven o'clock.