I reject the imputation that the hon. Gentleman puts on his supplementary question. Very strict and stringent conditions are applied to the sale of armaments. All armaments require export licences and they are considered by three Departments—mine, the Foreign Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.

I reject the hypocrisy that is evident in many of the questions that are directed from the Opposition Benches on this subject. Provided the rules and guidelines are strictly followed, there is a considerable benefit, in terms of domestic employment and overseas earnings, from defence sales. The House is littered with hon. Members on both sides who lobbied me, when I was Minister for Trade and since, on contracts that affected their constituencies, although I recognise that they prefer to keep silent on this occasion.