§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all proposed orders and contracts known to Her Majesty's Government which have been thwarted due to the NATO ban on exporting high technology to communist countries; what was the purpose and value in each case; and whether it is proposed to lift the ban.
§ Mr. SainsburyI have been asked to reply.
No. It has been the practice of successive Governments not to comment on individual licensing matters. While there has been a significant relaxation of export controls maintained for strategic reasons in the light of recent developments, and work is continuing with our COCOM partners, certain controls on exports of sensitive technology and equipment continue to be necessary.