§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Basildon given by the hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) on 5 July, Official Report, c. 36, whether representations were made by the United Kingdom embassy in Rome to the Italian Government concerning Italy's failure to renew economic sanctions against Argentina; what response was given by the Italian Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindThe British embassy in Rome did indeed make representations to the Italian Government in order to enlist Italian support for economic sanctions against Argentina. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Oxon (Mr. Hurd) explained to my hon. Friend on 5 July—[Vol. 27, c.36–7]—the Italian Government initially supported sanctions. To our regret the Italian Government did not find it possible to renew economic sanctions beyond the first month. The Italian embargo on the export of arms to Argentina remains in force.