§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the United States authorities over the United States of America Export Administration Act and its effect on the British engineering industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonWhen my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry visited the United States recently, he made clear to leading figures both in the Administration and in Congress our strong objection to the way in which the Export Administration Act continues to be applied to conduct in this country. He also pointed out to leading American industrialists the damage that such action will cause to private commercial links in all sectors of industry between the two countries. He expressed our hope that the opportunity afforded by the renewal of the Act would be taken to remove the scope for such extraterritorial action.
The Government have of course made a number of earlier representations to the United States Government on this subject, as have the European Community and its member states and other Governments.