15. Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement about relations between Great Britain and Chile.
Mr. James CallaghanHer Majesty's Government's policy towards Chile will be actuated by a desire to see a return to democratic government to ensure that detainees are released or brought to trial and that those who have sought asylum are allowed to leave the country. As regards the warships, these are already the property of the Chilean Navy and, as has been made clear, Her Majesty's Government will not impound them. But no new export licences for arms will be granted, other than for spares and equipment relating to existing contracts.