HL Deb 04 May 1982 vol 429 c1152WA
Lord Jenkins of Putney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it was not always possible that Argentina might invade the Falkland Islands and why if it was their intention to respond to such invasion by force they authorised the Defence Sales Organisation to approve massive sales of sophisticated weaponry to Argentina including Seacat, Sea Dart and Sea Wolf missiles and Lynx anti-submarine helicopters and much other highly lethal material.

Viscount Trenchard

In responding to requests for military equipment from Argentina, successive Governments have strived to balance the potential threat to the Falkland Islands against the need to improve bilateral relations and to secure the economic benefits from defence sales. Requests for defence equipment which might directly assist an invasion have been refused. Other equipment has been carefully considered on a case-by-case basis. The contracts for all the equipment mentioned were signed several years ago.