HC Deb 07 February 1996 vol 271 cc228-9W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure that helicopters sold by the United Kingdom to the Turkish Government are not used against civilians; and if he will make a statement. [12879]

Mr. Oppenheim

It has been the policy of successive Administrations not to disclose particulars of defence trade with other countries, or details of export licences or applications for export licences.

Applications for licences to export defence equipment are considered on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the appropriate Government Departments and in the light of established criteria. These include taking into account the human rights record of recipient states. We would not issue an export licence for the export of equipment which was likely to be used for internal repression.