HC Deb 16 March 1960 vol 619 c1300
54. Mr. Foot

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what requests Her Majesty's Government have received for the sale or transfer of rockets or other arms to the Government of Israel.

Mr. R. Allan

In the view of Her Majesty's Government, as a matter of general principle, it is not in the public interest to disclose whether or not requests for arms have been received from foreign Governments, nor to state the extent, if any, to which particular requests will be met.

Mr. Foot

Will the Minister give an assurance that such requests as this would not in any circumstances be met before the House had had an opportunity of discussing the matter?

Mr. Allan

I could not give such a blanket assurance as that.

Mr. Foot

Why not?