HC Deb 14 June 1982 vol 25 c202W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether South Africa has banned arms sales to Argentina or whether he has received assurance from that country that such sales are not taking place during the current Falkland Islands conflict; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Onslow

We have had no private or other assurances from the South African Government going beyond the Defence Minister's public statement on 24 May thatSouth Africa has not provided or sold any missiles or aeroplane parts in any way as has been reported, before or during the Falklands conflict".

We have impressed on the South African Government the strong reaction they would have to expect from both the Government and the British people if it became known that these or other arms were to reach Argentina from South Africa while the conflict continues.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, in view of the fact that missiles have been transferred to an Argentine airline from a Peruvian airline which had flown from Israel, at Lima on 21 May, he will make representations to the Israeli Government to stop the supply of arms to Argentina.

Mr. Rifkind

We have drawn the attention of the Israeli Government to reports of Israeli military supplies reaching Argentina They have denied that there was any truth in this report of Israeli missiles reaching Argentina through Peru.

Forward to