§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken on the European ban on arms exports to Nigeria; and how this applies to(a) dual use goods and (b) existing contracts. [7688]
§ Mr. Oppenheim[holding answer 10 January 1996]: In common with arms embargoes against other countries, 294W the embargo against Nigeria is enforced by means of the export licensing regime operated by the Department of Trade and Industry. Any licence applications which may be made in respect of embargoed goods to the relevant destinations are considered in light of the terms of the embargo in question. The embargo against Nigeria includes all military, security and paramilitary goods and arms, ammunition and related material which is listed in schedule 1, part III, group 1 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994. The embargo does not include other categories of goods which are controlled under that order, although such goods remain under strict licensing control. Nor does it extend to existing contracts for defence equipment for which individual licences have been issued.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to reject all further licences for the sale of arms to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement. [6939]
§ Mr. OppenheimI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill) on 12 December 1995,Official Report, columns 599–600.