§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will seek to make it an offence for British firms to supply arms to intermediate countries, in the knowledge that the final customer is a country regarding which there is a Government embargo on arms supplies.
§ Mr. MeacherThis is already an offence. The Export of Goods (Control) Order 1970, as amended, prohibits the export of arms specified in the order to all destinations except under licence. Any export licence will specify the destination of the goods. If a person is knowingly concerned with an export with intent to evade these prohibitions or restrictions an offence will have been committed under the Customs and Excise Act 1952.