HC Deb 30 June 1966 vol 730 c2181
36. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the method of licensing arms contracts arranged by the arms salesman, and also state the number and value of licences granted for the last 12 months, and the countries for which licences were granted.

Mr. Jay

The normal processes of inter-departmental consultation will continue. Licences for arms and military equipment are issued with due regard to the political, economic, strategic and security implications of each case. It is not the practice to disclose information about such licences.

Mr. Allaun

In the light of that Answer, are there any stipulations that arms sold to America must not be used in Vietnam? Secondly, would it not be better, for many reasons, to stimulate peaceful engineering exports instead?

Mr. Jay

Of course, as my hon. Friend knows, we are doing a great deal to stimulate peaceful engineering exports all over the world, but the policy in export licensing followed by the Government as far as the arms salesman is concerned will be precisely the same as before—that is to say, that the political decision of the Government will determine what is licensed.

Mr. A. Royle

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that arms sold to Australia and New Zealand will be allowed to be used in South Vietnam by Service men of those countries?

Mr. Jay

That is obviously another question.