HL Deb 24 January 1968 vol 288 cc307-8

2.10 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what restrictions are placed on the resale of British arms exports abroad.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD CHALFONT)

My Lords, licences are normally granted only for the export of defence equipment to Governments or their accredited agents after we have satisfied ourselves that there is a genuine military requirement. In these circumstances, we do not place a restriction on their subsequent resale.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer may I ask him two questions? First, is it not the case that the United States Government retains control of the destination of every piece of American equipment, even when only American licences are used? Secondly, because we failed to exert these controls would it not be possible for our embargo on arms to South Africa to be circumvented, by, for example, France selling the Nord Transall military transport, despite the fact that it has a Rolls Royce engine, and by the Italians selling the Macchi trainer, despite its British Viper engine?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I know that my noble friend will not expect me to answer for the policies of the United States Government on these matters. So far as his question about British Gov ernment policy is concerned, of course we cannot be certain that transfer of equipment of the kind he mentions will not take place; but we permit the sale of defence equipment to friendly Governments only after we have satisfied ourselves that there is a genuine military requirement. I can assure my noble friend that no re-exports of which we would not approve have come to our notice.