§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what controls are in force in respect of materials and technology being exported to the Argentine Government for their Argentine Condor II ballistic missile project; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe United Kingdom gives effect to its commitments as a member of the missile technology control regime through the Export of Goods (Control) Order. This requires a licence to export to any destination goods, which it has been agreed with our partners, are sensitive for missile technology reasons. These controls were strengthened in August of this year by the addition of an end-use control which requires a licence to export goods that the exporter knows or suspects are capable of use for missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction. No export licences have been granted for the export from the United Kingdom of goods known to be for the Condor missile programme. I understand that the Argentinian Government announced in May 1991 the cancellation of this project.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all items that are currently banned for export to Argentina by British exporters.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe embargo on the sale of any military-related equipment, which came into effect during the dispute over the Falkland islands, is still maintained. Following the introduction on 24 September of full-scope safeguards as a condition of nuclear supply, it is our policy not to allow the export of any significant new nuclear equipment or materials to any country which does not have a full-scope safeguards agreement, which includes Argentina.