Timothy,
Unfortunately it is a matter of liability. An insurance policy to cover sales of spare parts to North America would exceed the revenue generated. The Club was only turning over about $400 per year average in sales to NA, and this was less than the extra cost of the insurance. To have such a policy would mean that the rest of the membership would have to subsidize the insurance premium for NA.
The nature of the current insurance policy, as described to me, was that the Club was not even permitted to knowingly supply spares to NA via a third party. So ordering spares but requesting the spares shipped to a UK address before forwarding on does not circumvent the Club's liability.
They may be able to supply certain items that have a low probability of failure, or if they fail are unlikely to result in injury or death. You would have to ask the spares secretary based on your specific requirements.
Unfortunately this situation has existed for many, many years. Various folk (including myself) have looked at it from various angles to the extent of setting up a limited import company, but so far no cost effective solution has been found. Given the increasing litigation nature of modern society, it does not appear likely that one will be found. It is not a case of ultraconservative 'if they get sued' but a case of 'it already happened'.
-Doug
