The Government has refused to say whether it would stop a company exporting more technology that could be used to crush anti-Government protests to Iran.

Kingston-based Creativity Software sold phone operator Irancell a product that can pinpoint the location of mobile phone users and track their movements.

Protesters later claimed such equipment, sold in 2009, was used to track, monitor and arrest them.

The Government this week answered a series of parliamentary questions tabled by human rights campaigner Lord Alton about the company’s Middle East dealings.

Minister Baroness Wilcox said a Government body met with Creativity Software on March 31, 2009, to discuss exports, but it was under no obligation to apply for a licence unless the equipment was controlled.

However, she did not say how the Government applied its policy of actively discouraging all trade with Iran to Creativity Software. She also revealed the Government did not know what surveillance equipment British companies sold to Iran, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

The company said it sold equipment to MTN Irancell, not the Iranian regime, and acts completely within the law.

Lord Alton will hold a mini debate about the export of software that can be used against civilian populations on Monday, November 28.