§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if it is his policy to refuse export licences for equipment or machinery capable for use in armaments manufacture which are bought for export to Isreal.
§ Mr. NeedhamWe announced in June 1982, following the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon, that we would withhold approval of licences for the export to Isreal of all British military equipment. In 1983 it was decided to allow the export of electronic and other small non-lethal components provided they did not form part of equipment due to be put into immediate service with Israeli forces in south Lebanon.
Her Majesty's Government do control the export of sensitive goods for arms manufacture. However, it is not our policy to refuse such licences as a matter of course.
All applications for export licences for licensable equipment or machinery capable of use in armaments manufacture are considered on their merits and in line with these policies.
502W