§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the head of defence sales will seek to promote the sale of equipment or material which could be connected with the construction of atomic or nuclear weapons, and to which countries.
§ Mr. M. StewartThe Head of Defence Sales will in no way promote such sales. It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to permit any arrangement that would lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It is also our policy to apply safeguards to the export of all nuclear material and equipment intended for civil purposes to ensure against their diversion to military ends.
§ Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to which countries the head of defence sales will promote the sale of arms.
§ Mr. M. StewartIn general, it is our practice to sell arms to allied and friendly states. Every proposal for the sale of arms to foreign countries has to be con-224W sidered in the light of the political, economic, strategic and other factors involved.