§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will set out details of military equipment and spares which were supplied to the Argentine in the six weeks prior to the invasion of the Falkland Islands;
(2) if he will set out details of all orders for military spares for the Argentine received in the six weeks prior to the invasion of the Falkland Islands, indicating which orders were sanctioned and at what level; and whether they received OI priority;
(3) what was the last date on which military equipment or spares were supplied to the Argentine; and what was then supplied.
§ Mr. PattieNo major items of military equipment were supplied to Argentina in the six weeks prior to the invasion of the Falklands. Under the licensing arrangements in operation prior to the invasion, spares ordered direct from industry would not be monitored by MOD. Routine releases of naval spares were made fron RN store depots on 19 February and 22 March but a request on 30 March to expedite delivery of further naval spares already on order was declined at official level.
In view of the exceptional circumstances I informed the hon. Members for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) and for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick)—[Vol. 22, c. 55]—in general terms of the defence sales to Argentina since 1977. I do not however, propose, certainly during the present operation, to change the practice, upheld by successive Governments, of not disclosing details of individual defence sales.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether any firms are still producing military equipment and spares to orders from the Argentine; and if he will give details of any such equipment or spares and indicate what is happening to finished items.
§ Mr. PattieAll defence sales business with Argentina has been suspended and all export licences for military equipment and spares have been revoked. It is a matter for individual firms to decide whether or not to continue work on goods originally destined for the Argentine in the hope of finding an alternative market.
In view of the exceptional circumstances I informed the hon. Members for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) and for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick)—[Vol. 22, c.55]—in general terms of the defence sales to Argentina since 1977. I do not however, propose, certainly during the present operation, to change the practice, upheld by successive Governments, of not disclosing details of individual defence sales.