Saudi Arabia: Arms Sales Debate
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Lord West of Spithead
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Saudi Arabia: Arms Sales
Lord West of Spithead Excerpts(5 years, 3 months ago)
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Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
The noble and gallant Lord makes a good point. As I have said previously, we have examined all the incidents and are satisfied that these were isolated incidents that did not display any particular pattern. Our analysis shows that Saudi Arabia has a genuine intent and the capacity to comply with IHL.
Lord West of Spithead (Lab) [V]
My Lords, there are a number of Royal Air Force officers and ex-officers—British ex-pats—in Saudi Arabia in the various programmes involving aircraft. Last year, when this was discussed in the House, it was said that one of the benefits of having them there if we were selling arms was that they could give advice about targeting and so on. Can the Minister say whether any Royal Air Force officers, or indeed ex-pats, are involved at all in the targeting process within Saudi Arabia?
Lord Grimstone of Boscobel
I do not believe that they are, but in order to give the noble Lord a completely accurate answer to his question, I will write to him.