HC Deb 07 March 1984 vol 55 cc614-5W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make representations to the Government of Indonesia calling for a halt to the current military action in East Timor.

Mr. Luce

No. The Indonesian Government are already aware of the concern felt in the United Kingdom about this matter.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances were sought by Her Majesty's Government prior to the sale of armoured fighting vehicles to Indonesia; and what representations he has received about the uses to which they are now being put.

Mr. Luce

The sale of most of the British armoured fighting vehicles held by the Indonesian armed forces took place before the general election of 1979. I cannot comment on what assurances may have been sought then. We do not normally seek assurances which can offer no reliable guarantee about the uses to which equipment might later be put. We do not agree to the sale of defence equipment if we think it likely that the equipment would be used to violate human rights.

We have received two letters recently from hon. Members on this subject.