HC Deb 07 February 1978 vol 943 cc497-8W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if the EEC code of conduct for European firms in South Africa will apply to the operations of all British firms in South Africa whether or not the parent firm has a majority or minority holding.

Thousand tonnes
1975 1976 1977
France 735 460 813
Belgium-Luxembourg 420 263 134
Netherlands 222 150 184
Federal Republic of Germany 392 253 426
Italy 18 14 5
Irish Republic 179 94 165
Denmark 5 5 85

Mr. Dell,

pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 2nd February 1978; Vol. 943, c. 302], gave the following information:

The principles and policies set out in the code are relevant to all companies which have direct interests in South Africa and which are employers of black Africans. We recognise, however, that British companies which do not have a majority shareholding in their South African affiliates may not be able to obtain the detailed information to enable them to meet the full reporting requirements.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will deny export credits for trade with South Africa to British firms which make no effort to comply with the EEC code of conduct for European firms in South Africa;

(2) if he will instruct Government Departments not to award Government contracts to British firms conducting operations in South Africa which do not comply with the EEC code of conduct of European firms in South Africa;

(3) if he will withdraw double taxation reliefs on South African earnings from British firms operating in South Africa which make no effort to comply with the EEC code of conduct of European firms in South Africa.

Mr. Dell,

pursuant to the reply [Official Report, 2nd February 1978; Vol. 943, c. 301–2], gave the following information:

As with the previous code, I propose to seek the voluntary co-operation of British companies in implementing the code of conduct adopted by the Nine and in publishing reports of their progress.