§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces of El Salvador have received training in the
186Wbetween compassionate and other reasons. Applications for compassionate release from Service personnel are mostly dealt with at unit level. As no central records are kept, it is not practicable to say how many applications were refused.
complete years; and what level of labour turnover this represents.
§ Dr. GilbertFor non-industrial employees the information is as follows:—
period of service; and what labour turn-over this represents for each service.
§ Dr. GilbertThe information is as follows:—
United Kingdom since 1972; and how many have been here in relation to arms sales.
§ Mr. MulleyIt is long-established practice that we do not disclose specific details of the training which we provide 187W for Service personnel from other countries. I can, however, say that two members of the armed forces of El Salvador were here recently for training in connection with the sale of armoured vehicles.
§ Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the military equipment recently sold to the Government of El Salvador was obsolete or surplus to the British Army's needs.
§ Mr. MulleyThe vehicles are of an obsolescent design and are surplus to the needs of the British Army.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects that the £850,000 of military equipment being sold to the Government of El Salvador will be handed over to the Salvadorian authorities; and if he will consult the Organisation of American States Human Rights Committee and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights before arranging any definitive hand-over.
§ Mr. MulleyAs soon as the assurance referred to in the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. Watkins) on 24th November has been received; on the second part of the question, since firm contracts for the sale of this equipment were concluded in April and June, it would not be appropriate to seek the consultations my hon. Friend suggests.—[Vol. 939, c.882–3.]