Ministers attacked over arms to sub-continent

The Government was attacked last night for allowing arms exports to India and Pakistan at the height of the military stand-off over Kashmir.

Despite warnings to British citizens over the crisis, Whitehall approved licences to sell military equipment to both countries, the Liberal Democrats said.

Officials gave the go-ahead for the sale of equipment, including bombs, torpedoes, military aircraft and vessels and ammunition.

Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, told MPs last week that he knew of arms licences being approved to the region in the last two months.

But written answers from the Department of Trade and Industry – obtained by Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat defence spokesman – said export licences for more than 200 types of military equipment were approved between December and June.

Mr Campbell said the Government appeared to have breached its own arms control guidelines.

Government officials last night said the arms sold would not reach the Kashmir front-line. Decisions on exports were made on a case-by-case basis.