§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are currently employed by the Export Control Organisation; how many applications for export licences were received for each year from 1985. in 1991 to the most recent practicable date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe Export Control Organisation within the DTI currently employs 115 staff. The annual volumn of individual export licence applications submitted since 1985 to export goods subject to control in the Export of Goods (Control) Order is:
Number 1985 83,863 1986 89,705 1987 97,842 1988 92,280 1989 75,925 1990 45,897 19911 22,594 1 Up to 30 September 1991. Information relating to the activities of the Export Control Organisation during 1990 is to be published shortly in an annual report, a copy of which I will be placing in the Library.
§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many experts on nuclear arms components are employed by the Export Control Organisation to detect components likely to be used in the development of nuclear bomb making programmes.
§ Mr. SainsburyIn processing export licence applications, my officials have access to advice from appropriate experts in other government departments and agencies covering the full range of goods which are subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order.