HL Deb 03 June 1998 vol 590 cc41-2WA
Lord Davies of Oldham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their policy on the export of arms to Iran. [HL2106]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

There has not been any change to current policy, as set out in the Written Answer given by the Minister of State, Mr. Lloyd, to the Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Andy King MP) on 28 January 1998(Official Report, cols. 273–274). We will not approve licences for any equipment where there is knowledge or reason to suspect that it would go to a military end-user or be used for military purposes.

However, this department has recently approved the issue by the Department of Trade and Industry of a licence for the export of industrial gas turbine parts to Iran for civil end use. This particular industrial engine has been developed from a military engine and is commonly used to drive pumps and electrical generators. The engine is not subject to export control when it is exported as a complete unit. However, when it is broken down into component form, a very small percentage of its parts are unchanged from their original form and, as military components, come within the scope of the UK's arms embargo and are controlled under Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994. However, we are satisfied that Iran does not possess any aircraft powered by the original military engine, and that the risk of the component being diverted to use by the Iranian military is minimal. We have therefore approved the export.