§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he was informed by the Isle of Man Government of the proposals by a South African company to operate in the Isle of Man free port site; what observations he made on the proposal; and if he will make a statement;
(2) whether he was consulted by the Isle of Man Government on the proposals by a South African company to develop on the Isle of Man free port site; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Isle of Man authorities informed Her Majesty's Government in January 1987 of the possibility of a United Kingdom subsidiary of a South African company operating in the free port. The Isle of Man authorities were informed that there was no reason why the use of the free port by the company concerned for the purpose of its operations would be contrary to United Kingdom policy.
The Isle of Man authorities have given clear assurances that under no circumstances would any arrangements be entered into which would run counter to United Kingdom policy regarding restrictive measures on trade with South Africa, and we are satisfied that they have established for this purpose appropriate legal and administrative controls over the use of the free port.