§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will outline the guidelines followed by the Government when deciding on export licences for defence equipment.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIn considering applications for licences all relevant factors are taken into account including the type of equipment, its proposed destination and the use to which it might be put.
§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish a table in the Official Report listing the number of export licences for defence equipment issued for each country since May 1979.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIt has been the practice of successive Governments not to make public information of this kind.
§ Mr. Tom Clarkeasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will give details of United Kingdom trade in defence equipment in 1986 including the value of such trade and the role of his Department.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkFor details of United Kingdom trade in defence equipment I refer the hon. Gentleman to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1987–2, Defence Statistics" (Cm. 101/II) (tables 2.7 and 2.8), copies of which are in the Library.
The role of my Department in the trade in defence equipment is that of licensing authority.