HC Deb 08 April 1970 vol 799 cc541-2
35. Mr. Henig

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied that adequate measures are taken to ensure that details of sophisticated British military equipment like the Chieftain tanks, are not communicated to a potentially hostile country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Morris

Yes, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to his supplementary question on the same subject on 4th February. Security aspects are carefully considered before information is made available to any country.—[Vol. 795, c. 425.]

Mr. Henig

If this is so, would it not be highly dangerous for Britain to sell Chieftain tanks to Libya because, bearing in mind Libya's military involvement with the U.A.R. and the U.A.R.'s close military involvement with the Soviet Union, what would be the point of Britain developing the world's most advanced tank if full information about it immediately went to the Soviet Union?

Mr. Morris

I can give a general assurance to my hon. Friend that we take full account of possible breaches of security by the transfer of any weapons system from one country to another before a decision is taken at any stage.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Since the Israelis have helped to perfect this excellent tank, will the Government consider selling them a few?

Mr. Morris

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Shinwell

Why cannot the Foreign Secretary come clean on this issue? He always answers Questions on this matter by talking about negotiations when we do not know the nature of those negotiations. Surely the best way to take full account of the situation, to use the hon. Gentleman's words, is to prevent Libya getting the tanks. Is he aware that there is a good deal of feeling in this House against provision of Chieftain tanks to Libya, and if the Government refuse to see the wisdom of this and provide these tanks to Libya, I will give them all the trouble I can.

Mr. Morris

I am aware of the concern of my right hon. Friend on these issues, but surely this question arises purely and solely from the possible danger from the security point of view of the transfer of information from one country to another.