HC Deb 28 June 1973 vol 858 c405W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will consider abolishing the United Kingdom's embargo on oil imports from the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and Asian Communist countries.

Mr. Peter Walker

I have been reviewing the embargo. In the light of changed circumstances since 1959, when it was imposed, I have decided to remove it with immediate effect. This will permit the unrestricted import of crude oil and products from the Soviet Union, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the GDR, Hungary, Poland, China, North Korea, North Vietnam and Mongolia.