§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's policy on the sale of arms to Indonesia.
§ Mr. GoodladOur policy on arms sales to Indonesia is based on the principle that all sovereign states enjoy the right, under article 51 of the United Nations charter, to defend themselves. This is a right we claim for ourselves and it would be inconsistent and discriminatory to deny it to others. All applications for export licences are, none the less, subject to strict controls and scrutinised on a case-by-case basis. For example, if we believe a prospective purchase is likely to be used for repressive purposes against a civilian population, the application is rejected.