§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role he is playing in the promotion of arms sales to India; and what assessment he has made of the impact of sales on the(a) dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and (b) stability in that region. [29684]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 25 January 2002]: In accordance with the need to maintain a strong defence industry, which is a vital part of our strategic defence capability, it is Government policy to help promote legitimate UK defence exports in co-ordination with industry.
Assessment such as my hon. Friend describes are performed across Government as part of the case by case consideration given to export licence applications against the consolidated national and EU arms export licensing criteria.
220W