HC Deb 25 July 1978 vol 954 cc1356-7
19. Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will now put an end to the sale of armaments by the British Government and British arms manufacturers to the Government of Iran.

Dr. Gilbert

No, Sir.

Mr. Litterick

Is the Minister aware that British-built tanks were used in Qum and Tabriz by the Iranian authorities to kill more than 600 peaceful demonstrators? Therefore, does he not agree that in the light of this knowledge we can assume that the end uses to which British armaments are being put in Iran do not satisfy his Department's criteria for the supply of armaments to countries overseas?

Dr. Gilbert

As to the factual basis of my hon. Friend's question, I think that he is probably correct. The incident took place when the scale of violence became too great for normal civilian control. But, as my hon. Friend will appreciate—my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke on this subject in the House on 16th May—it is a difficult process for a ruler such as the Shah, who has immense power, gradually to release that power and encourage more liberalisation without at the same time leaving himself open to a considerable degree of disorder.

Mr. Viggers

I endorse the Minister's political comment, but may I ask him whether he would like to speculate on the amount of unemployment that would be caused in this country if we were now to cut off arms sales to Iran?

Dr. Gilbert

I think it would be fair to say that ROF Leeds would have to close.

Mr. Sever

Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is a considerable degree of feeling on the Government Benches that what appears to be a special relationship between this Government and the Government of Iran is not generally regarded as acceptable?

Dr. Gilbert

I recognise the very strong feeling that my hon. Friend and many others of my hon. Friends have on this matter. It is a subject that has been discussed by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary—for whom it is a departmental responsibility rather than for Defence Ministers—with the Iranians at very high levels. The Iranian Government are aware of our views on these humanitarian issues.