HC Deb 28 June 1988 vol 136 cc209-10W
18. Mr. Martlew

To ask the Secretary of Stale for Defence if he will outline the steps he is taking to ensure that Her Majesty's Government are accountable to Parliament for their arms trade policy.

84. Mr. Battle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the steps he is taking to ensure that Her Majesty's Government are accountable to Parliament for their arms trade policy.

110. Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the steps he is taking to ensure that Her Majesty's Government are accountable to Parliament for their arms trade policy.

Mr. Sainsbury

Her Majesty's Government are accountable to Parliament for all their policies, including those relating to the arms trade.

40. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to ensure that British arms exports are not facilitating the continuation of wars.

81. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for he will outline the steps his Department is taking to ensure that British arms exports are not the continuation of wars.

91. Mr. Galbraith

To ask the Secretary of State for he will outline the steps his Department is ensure that British arms exports are not the continuation of wars.

Mr. Sainsbury

Before any licence is granted for the export of defence equipment most careful consideration is given to all relevant political, security and operational factors, including the effect the supply might have on a local conflict.

57. Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the Government will not disclose any information on specific arms export contracts.

96. Mr. Ronnie Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why the Government will not disclose any information on specific arms export contracts.

Mr. Sainsbury

It has been the policy of successive Governments that information on specific arms export contracts is not normally disclosed because it is a commercially confidential matter between the supplier and the overseas purchaser.