§ Lord Desaiasked Her Majesty's Government
Whether any goods subject to the national arms embargo have recently been approved for export to Iran. [HL2951]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean:The Government have recently issued a licence for the export of night vision goggles which are of military specification. These goods are for use on the Iran/ Afghanistan border against heroin smugglers, and the export is funded by the UN Drugs Control Programme (UNDCP). The UN offices in Vienna have confirmed that this application is legitimate. Her Majesty's Government are therefore satisfied that these goods would only be used for the end-use stated, and there is no risk of these goods being diverted for use by the Iranian military.