Missile Technology Control Regime (Hansard, 15 January 1990)

§ Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has concerning the policy of(a) the Soviet Union and (b) the People's Republic of China towards the missile technology control regime; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
We are not aware of any policy statements by the Soviet Union or the People's Republic of China on the missile technology control regime. However, we believe that all potential supplier countries are increasingly concerned by the problem of missile proliferation. We have called on all states to tighten their policies in this area, and have said that we would welcome their adherence to the missile technology control regime guidelines in the interest of international peace and security.

§ Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the imposition of sanctions upon countries and companies that transgress the terms and conditions of the missile technology control regime.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
Export controls in the United Kingdom are designed to ensure that companies do not act in contravention of our international commitments, including those under the missile technology control regime. Appropriate legal action is taken against any company which is found to infringe these controls. It is not our policy to seek to impose sanctions on any other countries or foreign companies which might be thought to have transgressed the terms and conditions of the regime. Controls under the regime remain the national responsibility of each participating country.

§ Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the terms of the missile technology control regime have constrained any United Kingdom companies from exporting certain technologies or components.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
A number of export licence applications have been refused by the Department of Trade and Industry as a result of our commitments under the missile technology control regime.

§ Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Government Departments are involved in ensuring the implementation of the terms of the missile technology control regime.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
The Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for the issuing of export licences 57W under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Ministry of Defence and other Government Departments as appropriate.

§ Mr. Macdonald
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what means of control are exercised by his Department upon United Kingdom companies in reference to the implementation of the terms of the missile technology control regime.

§ Mr. Waldegrave
Such control is exercised by means of export licences under the Export of Goods (Control) Order, which are determined by the Department of Trade and Industry. Export licence applications for equipment and technology to which the missile technology control regime applies are referred to this Department by the Department of Trade and Industry before a decision is taken on whether to issue a licence.