§ Mr. Batisteasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many approaches he has received in the last 18 months from companies based in the United Kingdom concerning the detention or delay by the United States Government of high technology products ordered from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement;
(2) on how many occasions in the last 18 months the United States Government have detained, delayed or stopped shipments of high technology products for companies based in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ChannonI am aware of about 20 cases in the last 18 months where firms have approached us about difficulties they have experienced over the release for export of high technology goods from the United States as a result of United States export regulations. There may be other such cases which have not been brought to our attention, but it is impossible to say how many. My Department has been able in some of those cases to help the company concerned to overcome its difficulties with the United States authorities, and remains ready in appropriate cases to intervene on behalf of British firms. The United States Government are, of course, entitled to regulate the direct export of goods from their own territory; but undue interference with trade would inevitably encourage firms in the United Kingdom and elsewhere to seek other sources of supply.