HC Deb 12 January 1978 vol 941 cc827-8W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in the light of recent experience in supplying British military equipment to El Salvador, he will now give an assurance that in future such equipment will not be supplied to foreign Governments known to be violating human rights and oppressing their own population.

Mr. Judd

Each application to supply British military equipment abroad is treated on its merits, and an export licence is only issued after consultation among the responsible Government Departments which take into account all relevant political, military, economic and strategic factors. In the case of El Salvador, my right hon. Friend has already said that we shall not allow any further arms sales until there has been clear evidence of a marked change in the internal situation.