HC Deb 06 March 1996 vol 273 c228W
Mr. Cann

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what new guidelines were placed on arms sales to Argentina between May 1979 and March 1982; and when and what were the nature of the guidelines. [18091]

Mr. Lang

There were no special guidelines on arms sales to Argentina in the period specified. Export licence applications for the sale of defence equipment to Argentina were circulated to the MOD and the FCO, and were considered on the basis of consistency with our strategic, security and foreign policy interests.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what(a) arms and (b) arms-related contracts with the Argentine Government were approved by Her Majesty's Government between the years 1979 and 1982. [19352]

Mr. Lang

No substantial contracts for defence equipment were signed and completed after 1978. Some contracts signed before 1979 were fulfilled in 1979–81, and some contracts or spares for existing UK equipment were fulfilled.