§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he had with the United States authorities on his recent visit to the United States of America about (a) the attempted enforcement of United States export regulations in the United Kingdom, (b) the case of Systime plc, (c) the restraints on EEC internal trade implicit in the United States distribution licence arrangements and (d) the question of a secure supply of software and maintenance for existing United Kingdom users of computers of United States origin; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChannonDuring my visit, I made clear to the United States Secretary of Commerce our continuing strong objections to extraterritorial United States re-export controls. I referred similarly to the extraterritorial aspects of the new distribution licence regulations. The United States authorities are well aware of our views on Systime's alleged violations of United States re-export controls, and on the cutting off of United States supplies to United Kingdom firms who refuse to give re-export undertakings.