§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is his Department's policy on requests from the Indonesian Government for back up support for military hardware already sold to them; [104836]
(2) what requests have been made by the Indonesian Government over the last 12 months for the renewal and replacement of military equipment that has been sold to the Indonesian regime; and if he will make a statement. [104835]
§ Mr. KilfoyleRequests for licensable back-up support for existing military hardware overseas are considered case by case in line with the criteria which the Foreign Secretary announced to the House on 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 26–29W and the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.
While the exact details are commercially confidential, we understand that prior to the EU embargo a number of British companies were in discussion with the Indonesian Government about the supply of both spares for existing items and new defence equipment.
The EU embargo lapsed at midnight on 16 January 2000. Any future UK defence equipment to Indonesia will again be subject to case by case consideration under the criteria referred to above.