HL Deb 29 April 2004 vol 660 c39WS
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The Government have issued an open licence for the export to Iran of goods that will be listed in the United Kingdom strategic export controls annual report as "components for military aero engines". The goods will be used by the oil and gas industry to overhaul turbines that power pumps for oil and gas pipelines. The goods are military listed because they were originally designed and used for military aircraft engines. In this instance, the Government are satisfied that there is a minimal risk of diversion to a military end use and are prepared to make an exception to the UK national arms embargo. Other aspects of the application were considered against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.