HC Deb 05 May 1982 vol 23 cc146-7
17. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will raise at the next meeting of the European Economic Community Foreign Ministers the question of stopping arms sales to Fascist-style regimes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

Individual countries in the European Community have their own policies on the export of arms. However, the hon. Member will be aware that Community members have now banned the export of all arms to Argentina.

Mr. Skinner

That does not answer the question on the Order Paper. Does the Minister agree that it is a scandal that the Common Market countries are making a killing out of what is taking place in the area of the Falkland Islands? Is it not a fact that it was almost certainly a French missile that sank HMS "Sheffield" yesterday? Is it not true that British missiles are being fired on British troops? Is it not time that the Government gave an unequivocal commitment that they will stop selling arms to Fascist-style regimes in the world and called upon our so-called Common Market partners to do the same?

Mr. Hurd

I simply repeat, in answer to the hon. Gentleman's question and his supplementary question, that Community members have now banned the export of all arms to Argentina.

Mr. Marlow

Will my right hon. Friend deal not only with the sale of arms from Europe to Fascist-style regimes but with European policy on the sale of arms between Facist-style regimes—notably the sale of arms by Israel to the Fascist regime in Argentina? Can he assure the House that this has now stopped?

Mr. Hurd

We raised this with the Israeli Government and received assurances from them that they would enter into no new contracts for the supply of arms to Argentina, nor would they speed up delivery under existing contracts.

Mr. Donald Stewart

As we now have the sad experience of coming under fire from weapons and vessels that we have supplied, will the Government give a guarantee to cease the supply of arms to all South American countries, and in particular will they reconsider the sale of Harrier jets to Venezuela?

Mr. Hurd

As my right hon. Friend said a few minutes ago, we look carefully at all applications for the supply of arms, and in particular refuse requests where we think that the equipment in question could be used to suppress human rights in the country concerned.

Sir Bernard Braine

While I agree that there should be a tightening of controls, if not a ban, on the export of arms to authoritarian regimes, particularly those that threaten their neighbours, will my right hon. Friend give the House the assurance that it requires and say that if a small democracy such as Belize is threatened by such a country, we shall stand by it?

Mr. Hurd

I think that my hon. Friend will have heard the comprehensive answers that have already been given.

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