§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the United States Government have indicated opposition, political or strategic, to the sale by Great Britain of Harriers to the People's Republic of China.
(2) if he will make a clear, public statement that Her Majesty's Government recognise no strategic or political objections to the sale of Harriers to the Chinese Government, would welcome the opportunity to initiate negotiations to this effect, and will not allow either commercial opposition from the United States of America, or political pressure from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, 245W to deflect Her Majesty's Government from this objective.
§ Mr. Luard:I appreciate the hon. Member's interest. However, at present I regret that I cannot make a statement on this subject. If Her Majesty's Government receive a formal proposal from the Chinese Government, it will be considered in the light of our international obligations and the political and economic circumstances prevailing at the time.