HC Deb 07 July 1986 vol 101 cc7-8W
Mr. Clay

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to ensure that exports to Iran of (a) petroleum and petroleum products, (b) artificial resins and plastic materials, (c) miscellaneous chemical products, (d) miscellaneous rubber products, (e) iron and steel products, (f) office machine and automatic data processing equipment (g) telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing equipment, (h) miscellaneous transport equipment, (i) professional scientific and controlling instruments, (j) electrical machinery and (k) road vehicles, have not contributed in any way to maintaining internal repression or continuing the war with Iraq.

Mr. Alan Clark

Many of these items are subject to export licensing control. In granting licences regard is paid to the possible use of goods for the purposes of internal repression and licence applications for supplies of defence equipment to Iran and Iraq are subject to the following guidelines:

  1. (i) We should maintain our consistent refusal to supply any lethal equipment to either side;
  2. (ii) Subject to that overriding consideration, we should attempt to fulfil existing contracts and obligations;
  3. (iii) We should not approve orders for any defence equipment which, in our view, would significantly enhance the capability of either side to prolong or exacerbate the conflict;
  4. (iv) In line with this policy, we should continue to scrutinise rigorously all applications for export licences for the supply of defence equipment to Iran and Iraq.