HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 c451
15. Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why armaments are supplied by Great Britain to Portugal.

Mr. Healey

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister repeated to the House on 11th February, it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to supply arms to Portugal for use outside her N.A.T.O. responsibilities in Europe.—[Vol. 777, c. 1117.]

Mr. Judd

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he recalls his Answer in this House on 18th December? How can we be seen to be in support of the African peoples' desire for independence if a close N.A.T.O. ally is using standard N.A.T.O. equipment for wars of colonial repression in Africa? What representations axe we making to Portugal?

Mr. Healey

With respect, that is a completely different question, which I answered to a Question put down by another hon. Member a few moments ago.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Can the Minister give us an assurance that none of the terrorists operating in the overseas territories of our Portuguese allies are being supplied, directly or indirectly, with British arms, bearing in mind that many are trained in Commonwealth countries?

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