§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the status of the "rules of restraint" governing arms transfers agreed between the United States, the Soviet Union, France, Britain and China on 9th July 1991 and whether, in relation to sales of weapons to Middle East countries, the spirit of this agreement is being fully observed by all five governments.
§ Lord Cavendish of FurnessGuidelines of restraint governing conventional arms transfers were agreed by the Five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council at their meeting in London on 17th/18th October 1991. The five agreed common guidelines for the export of conventional weapons. They also agreed to inform each other about arms transfers to the region of the Middle East, and to make arrangements to exchange information for the purpose of meaningful consultation. We have no reason to doubt that all five governments intend to observe the spirit of these agreements.