§ Mr. Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that it has proved impossible to conduct a review of the China embargo through the Committee of the Consultative Group and that this organisation is proving a serious liability to British commercial interests in that information is being supplied to foreign competitors to the detriment of British industry, he will take some steps to change the present procedure.
§ Mr. Ian Harvey:As the House was informed on 1st April, we are hopeful that further consultations with our friends and allies will enable agreement to be reached on the arrangements for controlling trade with China. Information given to the Group about United Kingdom exports is regarded as strictly confidential by all member Governments. Similar information is, of course, provided to the Group by the other member Governments and there is no question of United Kingdom firms being at a disadvantage in comparison with their competitors in the other member countries.