§ 30. Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria Her Majesty's Government use to make decisions on arms sales.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAll arms sales require an export licence. Before this is granted a wide variety of considerations is taken into account. These considerations will vary depending on individual circumstances but they will always include the need to safeguard the United Kingdom's political, strategic and security interests, the possible effect a sale might have on the stability of a region and the likelihood of the equipment being used to violate human rights.