§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the granting of licences to export arms to Robert Cherrett and Leonard Hammond whilst awaiting trial on charges of illegally exporting arms.
§ Mr. SproatAll applications for licences to export arms are considered individually on their merits. Any information casting doubt on the legitimacy of a transaction would be taken into account. The fact that an applicant faced charges relating to alleged offences concerning exports would not, however, necessarily lead to the refusal of a licence in an unrelated case, provided there was no objection to the export on national policy grounds and Departments were satisfied that the application and supporting documentation were in order.