§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up an inquiry into the extent to which British companies have been involved in the export or arrangement for sale of electro-shock equipment since 1984. [19510]
§ Mr. Ian Taylor[holding answer 18 April 1995]: The export of portable anti-riot devices for administering an electric shock and specialised components therefore has been controlled since 1984 under the terms of various Export of Goods (Control) Orders which have applied since and before that date. In considering any applications for licences for the export of such equipment the Department of Trade and Industry and advisers in other Government Departments would take special care and consider very carefully the political and military implications of allowing such goods to be exported. Particular attention is paid to proposed exports to countries with poor human rights records, where the equipment might be used for internal repression. Evasion of UK export controls is a criminal offence and investigation of such evasion is a matter for Customs and Excise; any evidence that evasion may have taken place should be supplied to that Department. Controls on the exports of such goods from outside the United Kingdom are the responsibility of the appropriate authorities in the countries from which the goods are supplied. In these circumstances I do not think that inquiry is necessary or appropriate.