§ 18. Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new initiatives he plans in the export of materials that can be used in the manufacture of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
§ Mr. SainsburyWe continue to work with like-minded countries to take effective action to prevent the proliferation of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Controls on the export of sensitive materials for use for these purposes are kept under continual review.
§ Mr. FlynnHas it occurred to the Minister that if the Gulf war had taken place a year hence, Saddam Hussein's Scud missiles might have been armed with Iraqi nuclear warheads? Is not it a scandal that British companies exported to Saddam Hussein specialist equipment that he has used in his nuclear programme? Those companies include Avesta of Birmingham, Consave of Glasgow, Magnatech of Crawley, Matric Churchill of Coventry and Swift Lewick of Rotherham. Will the Minister give us an assurance that when the nightmare of the Gulf war is over, Britain will lead the world in reducing the international arms trade, not just by exhortation but by example?
§ Mr. SainsburyThe whole House will share the hon. Gentleman's worry that materials that might facilitate the production of nuclear weapons should be exported. The hon. Gentleman will be aware, not least because he tables a very large number of questions on the subject, that the 274 Government's policy is to prevent the proliferation of such weapons. We maintain stringent controls on the export of all weapons and related material, equipment and technology.
§ Mr. Rhodes JamesIs my hon. Friend aware that the Scud missiles are, in fact, Russian?
§ Mr. SainsburyMy hon. Friend is right.