HC Deb 17 December 1990 vol 183 cc65-6W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to ensure that defence equipment and munitions supplied to Cyprus have not been re-exported in a manner that is inconsistent with Government policy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lilley

Defence and defence-related equipment for sale to Cyprus or elsewhere which is subject to export control under the Export Goods (Control) Order 1989 requires an export licence, for which my Department is the issuing authority.

Each application for a licence is considered on its merits in consultation with other Departments taking into account the type of equipment, its end use and end user. If there are any reasons to doubt the end use or end user of the equipment a licence would not be issued.

There are penalties, enforceable through the courts, for any person who makes a false statement or provides information known to be false to obtain an export licence.

If the hon. Member has particular cases in mind and can provide me with information I shall investigate.