HC Deb 01 December 1966 vol 737 cc128-9W
51 and 52. Mr. Tilney

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what means he employs to ensure the licences to import arms into Great Britain from Europe are not used for gun-running into Africa; and what information he has of such practices;

(2) whether he will give particulars of Import Licence No. Ex193057/1 and import certificate No. NE2253; to whom these were issued; and whether other licences have been issued or reissued to the same person, persons or company in the last 12 months.

Mr. Jay

It would be contrary to practice to disclose details of import licences or import certificates issued by the Board of Trade to individual importers. Import licences are required to import arms into the United Kingdom and are issued only to persons or bodies authorised by the Ministry of Defence. I have no evidence that arms imported into Great Britain are used for gun running into Africa.