HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 cc277-8W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list any reciprocal arrangements comparable to United States of America export controls which the United States of America Government has made to allow United Kingdom inspectors to visit companies in the United States of America and inspect their books; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Clark

The United Kingdom Government have never requested permission to carry out visits to companies in the United States in connection with extraterritorial re-export controls because it does not operate such controls. The United Kingdom Government reject the principle of visits designed to monitor compliance with such controls, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said in his reply to the hon. Member on 19 February at columns 751–52.