§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will make it their policy to discontinue the sale of all equipment to repressive regimes which may be used in the violation of human rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarCareful control is exercised over our export of defence equipment. Arms sales to any country require an export licence under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1985. We take account of all the relevant security, political and economic factors, paying particular attention to proposals to sell items to countries with a poor human rights record. A licence would not be granted if it was thought that the equipment would be used for aggression, for internal repression or to violate human rights.