Middle East (Hansard, 1 July 1987)

20. Mr. Robertson
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on arms sales to the middle east.

§ Mr. Mellor
As with our arms sales policy to other parts of the world, all arms sales to the middle east are considered individually on their merits. Each transaction is subject to strict export licencing procedures. Full account is taken of the foreign policy implications of such a sale, the regional and local tensions, and the human rights record of the country involved. We do not allow the export of arms which are likely to be used for internal repression or to violate human rights.

§ 41. Mr. Marlow
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Government policy with regard to the middle east.

§ Mr. Mellor
We remain committed to the search for a just and comprehensive settlement of the Arab/Israel dispute, based on the right of Israel to secure existence and the right of the Palestinians to self-determination. We believe that an international conference remains the most practical way forward.

§ 49. Mr. Robert Hicks
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends taking any initiatives in conjunction with the United Kingdom's European Economic Community partners to try to resolve questions relating to the Palestinians; and if he will make a statement.

§ 67. Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he intends taking to pursue the decision of European Economic Community Ministers to convene an international peace conference on the middle east.

§ Mr. Mellor
As my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said on 26 June, we and our European partners firmly support the principle of an international conference. This remains in our view the most practical way forward to negotiations between the parties that are directly concerned. We remain in close touch with the parties and will continue to encourage them to agree arrangements for a conference.