§ Mr. Robert Banksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will announce the outcome of the Government's review of the practice whereby his Department authenticates signatures on certain export documents required under the Arab boycott.
§ Mr. LuceThe Government's opposition to the Arab boycott is well known. Our policy is to encourage trade with both Israel and the Arab states and we deplore any attempts by third parties to place restrictions on our trade with Israel.
However, it is normal practice for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to authenticate signatures on documents. That does not imply approval of the contents. It is against this background that we have decided not to change the long-standing procedures governing Foreign and Commonwealth Office authentication of certificates of origin.