asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish in the OfficialReport the criteria on which the Marconi Company was licensed to supply tropo-scatter equipment to the South African Defence Department.

Although it is not normal practice to comment on individual export licences I can say that a licence was granted in this case after it was determined that the export of the equipment covered by this particular licence does not contravene our undertakings in respect of the United Nations' embargo on arms sales to South Africa.