Helms-Burton Act

HL Deb 20 March 1996 vol 570 c100WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they propose to take with other governments affected by the Helms-Burton Act (which purports to extend US jurisdiction into areas disallowed by international law) and with which other governments they are discussing such measures.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

As my noble friend Lady Miller told the House on 13th March, we are deeply concerned about the Helms-Burton Act. We have lobbied hard against those provisions which are likely to affect British interests, and, together with our EU and other key partners, are considering what further action to take. We will be pressing the US Administration to use the widest discretion in implementing the legislation, and will take whatever action we can to protect our legitimate trading interests.