HC Deb 21 May 1969 vol 784 c421
21. Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Minister of Technology if he will prohibit the issue of licences to enable military aircraft of British design to be manufactured in the United States of America for sale to the American or South Vietnam Governments.

Mr. Fowler

No, Sir. Our policy on the supply of defence equipment which might be used in Vietnam was stated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12th July, 1966.—[Vol. 731, c. 191.] Similar considerations would be involved in our approval of any licensing proposals.

Mr. Allaun

Is not this in breach of British policy—the policy that we do not supply arms for the Vietnam war—and is not this one application of British research that we do not want to see?

Mr. Fowler

I cannot for the life of me see how anything could have happened which is in breach of British policy, since there are no proposals currently under consideration by Her Majesty's Government for the future manufacture under licence in the United States of any British military aircraft.