HC Deb 20 November 1985 vol 87 c209W
51. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he is now satisfied that the air defence system supplied by Plessey to the South African Government is not capable of and was not purchased for military use and was not in breach of the United Nations embargo.

Mr. Rifkind

The original export licence application was approved in 1974 on the understanding that the equipment was required in South Africa for an integrated air traffic control system, with a civil application. We have yet to see evidence that the equipment was intended for a primarily military use.