§ 88. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the supply of arms to Commonwealth countries engaged in civil war; and how this differs from the policy of successive British Governments over the last five years.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleThe present Government would certainly do all within their power to bring hostilities to an end as speedily as possible, but whether this could best be achieved by the supply or non-supply of arms would depend on existing circumstances. I cannot, of course, answer for the previous administration.
§ 89. Sir F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government concerning the supply of arms to Commonwealth countries engaged in war one with another; and how this differs from the policy of successive British Governments over the last seven years.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleIn such a situation the main objective of the present Government would be the restoration of peace in the shortest possible time, and I have no doubt that this would have been the aim of any British Government during recent years. Whether or not the supply of arms should be continued to any or all of the Commonwealth countries concerned would depend on many factors, not least the attitude of other nations. The situation would be kept under continual review. Her Majesty's Government's policy in relation to arms sales to India and Pakistan was explained by my right hon. Friend in his statement to the House on 13th December.—[Vol 828, c. 44–45.]