HC Deb 14 May 1976 vol 911 c302W
Miss Joan Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will amend the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1970 (S.I., 1970, No. 1288) to remove South Africa's favoured nation status and to prevent the export of military equipment to the Channel Islands.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will revoke the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1970, S.I., 1970, No. 1288, governing the export of military equipment, in view of the fact that it grants South Africa favoured nation status, and enables a whole range of equipment with direct military uses to be supplied to South Africa without export licences or specific Government permission.

Mr. Meacher

, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 30th April 1976; Vol. 910, c. 214], and pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 11th May 1976; Vol. 911, c. 142], gave the following information:

Exports of arms to South Africa as to all other destinations, including the Channel Islands, are subject to export licensing control, so no amendment of the Export of Goods (Control) Order is necessary to control these goods. Certain controls on exports of strategic goods to the Soviet and Chinese blocs do not apply to South Africa, but any change in these controls is for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. However, I am not aware of any evidence that such goods are being improperly re-exported through South Africa to controlled destinations.