HC Deb 05 July 1967 vol 749 cc1790-1
2. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if, in view of the recent Middle East war, he will terminate the employment of the Government arms salesman.

Mr. Healey

No, Sir.

Mr. Allaun

Will my right hon. Friend take the initiative to get an arms ban summit to stop the sale of these arms? Do they not encourage competition and hostility between neighbours, both in the Middle East and in South America, when the money could be far better spent on other things?

Mr. Healey

As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has often said, we are very anxious to get an agreement between the major arms-producing Powers to limit, or to stop, arms supplies to the Middle East and other areas of tension. My hon. Friend should be aware that although my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made such a proposal in this House and in the United Nations, other major arms suppliers refused to follow it up.

I do not think that anyone in the House would wish us to dishonour contracts already made, particularly if the Soviet Union and other Powers pour arms into certain countries in the Middle East or elsewhere. Other countries which feel themselves threatened by these arms must have the right to obtain arms in self-defence.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

Is it true that the Government arms salesman has intimated his wish to resign?

Mr. Healey

No, Sir.