Security Equipment (Hansard, 25 January 1995)

§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy on the export, 219W or arrangement of sale, by British companies of electronic riot shields and electronic batons.

§ Mr. Needham
The export of certain security and paramilitary police goods is controlled. This includes portable anti-riot devices for administering an electric shock or an incapacitating substance. In considering applications for licences for the export of such equipment the DTI, together with advisers in other Government Departments, takes special care and considers very carefully the political and military implications of allowing consignments to go overseas. Particular attention is paid to proposed exports to countries with poor human rights records, where the equipment might be used for internal repression.

§ Mr. Mullin
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with BAe's Royal Ordnance division about the supply of electric shock batons to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Ian Taylor
None. The company has denied both publicly and to my officials that any such supply has taken place.

§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce
To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the occasions and the dates on which his Department(a) received information in respect of and (b) supported the export of electro-shock weapons to (i) China and (ii) Saudi Arabia.

§ Mr. Ian Taylor
[holding answer 18 January 1995]: A number of allegations have been made: they have been followed-up by my officials. The companies involved have made public denials. I am not aware of any support given for the export of electro-shock weapons to these destinations.

§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what electro-shock equipment has been exported by(a) the Royal Ordnance, (b) British Aerospace or (c) any other British companies in the last 10 years.

§ Mr. Ian Taylor
[holding answer 18 January 1995]: Controls exist on the export of portable anti-riot devices for administering an electric shock. Other equipment of this sort is not licensable under the Export of Goods (Control) Order. This question could be answered in respect of controlled equipment only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Malcolm Bruce
To ask the President of the Board of Trade what measures his Department is taking to pursue the Government's policy of preventing the export of equipment and weapons which can be used for torture.

§ Mr. Ian Taylor
[holding answer 18 January 1995]: My Department gives careful consideration to applications for the export of weapons. In considering such proposals, special care is taken over the political and military implications of allowing consignments to go overseas. Particular attention is paid to countries with poor human rights records, where equipment might be used for internal repression. However, the list of seemingly innocuous equipment that can be used for the purposes of torture is endless and there is a real problem in controlling trade in legitimate goods which could be misused. The Government are willing to look at any tangible evidence of British companies knowingly involved in supplying materials and expertise for the purposes of repression.