HC Deb 30 April 1953 vol 514 c118W
66. Mr. Tilney

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement in connection with the supply of certain Pharmaceuticals to China.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Pharmaceuticals are not subject to the embargo which the United Kingdom has maintained on certain exports to China ever since it was imposed by the previous Government after the United Nations' Resolution of 18th May, 1951. Since August, 1951, however, exports to China of certain Pharmaceuticals which would be of value to the maintenance of large military forces have been limited to normal civilian requirements. A number of Western European Governments have hitherto permitted exports of these Pharmaceuticals without restriction and this has tended to frustrate the controls which we have maintained. These Governments have, however, now agreed to impose similar restrictions to ours.