HC Deb 26 January 1994 vol 236 c309W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Government defence export sales are currently subject to export licensing and which are not; and what changes were made in this during the period after 1980.

Mr. Aitken

All Government defence exports have Crown status and are therefore not subject to export licensing requirements. They are, however, subject to the normal foreign and defence policy considerations.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether defence exports carried out as part of the successive Government-to-Government agreements with Jordan and Saudi Arabia were subject to export licensing.

Mr. Aitken

Sales of defence equipment to Jordan under the memoranda of understanding signed in 1985 and 1987 were subject to the normal export licensing requirements. Exports of defence equipment to Saudi Arabia under the Al Yamamah arrangement have Crown status and are therefore riot subject to export licensing requirements, although they are subject to the normal foreign and defence policy considerations. All other sales of defence equipment to Saudi Arabia are subject to the normal export licensing requirements.