§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for Trade (1) whether the regulations which he has made in response to the United States action on the Siberian pipeline contract are intended to have the effect of relieving British firms from any of their contractual obligations; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the purpose of the regulations which he introduced in response to the United States action on the Siberia pipeline contract.
§ Mr. Peter Rees[pursuant to his reply, 15 July [982 c. 420]: No. The order which my right hon. and noble Friend has made under section 1(1) of the Protection of 15W Trading Interests Act 1980 brings that section into effect with respect to the United States re-export control regulations. It is an essential legal preliminary to any further action under section 1, and has an immediate declaratory effect.