§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the Plessey deal to supply Iran with six AR-3D static air defence systems.
§ Mr. RentonI have been asked to reply.
It is our policy not to comment on individual defence sales. However, in view of the current interest in Iran, I can confirm that a proposal from Plessey to sell static AR-3D radars to Iran does not breach our strict guidelines for defence sales to Iran and Iraq. The installations would be installed on permanent sites along Iran's northern and eastern borders, facing the Soviet Union. They will be of no relevance to the current conflict with Iraq.