Exhibition and Sale of Arms (Aldershot)

HC Deb 17 June 1980 vol 986 cc1328-30

13. Mr. Sheerman

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why his Department's exhibition and sale of arms at Aldershot from 23 June to 27 June excludes the public.

Mr. Hayhoe

The British Army equipment exhibition is designed to display military equipment manufactured by British companies to a specialist audience of overseas professional and technical experts. However, much of the equipment will be demonstrated, or will be on show, at the Aldershot Army display, which takes place immediately after the exhibition and is open to members of the public.

Mr. Sheerman

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many suspect that the reason why the Government do not publish the names of the countries that have been invited to the exhibition and the reason why the public are excluded is that some of those who are invited may be from repressive regimes? Is he aware that that is particularly worrying when one bears in mind that some of the companies at the exhibition specialise only in riot control, electronic surveillance and the production of CS gas?

Mr. Hayhoe

Hon. Members and representatives of the press are invited to attend, but the exhibition is designed primarily for professional and technical experts. As to the countries that are invited to send representatives, it has been the practice of successive Administrations not to list the names of those concerned.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that no country outside those countries that are deemed to be our enemies will be refused admission to such an exhibition?

Mr. Hayhoe

I can say, and this follows on an aspect of the previous supplementary question, that human rights considerations must be, and are, taken into account before a decision is made on whether a proposed sale should go ahead. Particular attention is paid to the use to which equipment might be put.

Mr. Whitehead

If it is true, as many believe, that countries such as Argentina, Libya and Indonesia, which have used repressive technology against their own citizens, are invited to Aldershot, what criteria do the Government use to ensure that arms sales to such countries are not used for that purpose?

Mr. Hayhoe

Arms sales have to be licensed by the Government and account is taken of human rights, operational and many other considerations before a decision is made. The position that the Government have adopted is fully justified.

Mr. Duffy

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, as my hon. Friends have stressed, the modern police State is much more likely to use modern electronics than guns and batons, as some of his hon. Friends still seem to think? Will the hon. Gentleman pay heed to the warning of my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, East (Mr. Sheerman) and ensure that his Department does not facilitate the export of repressive tech- nology, especially when some of the items may be on the Customs and Excise C list?

Mr. Hayhoe

I can only repeat that human rights considerations are taken into account. I am sure that it is the view of the vast majority of hon. Members that such questions should be considered before decisions are made about the export of equipment.