UN Register of Conventional Arms: UK Weapons Transfers

HL Deb 25 January 1996 vol 568 cc85-6WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether all United Kingdom transfers of weapons are detailed by the United Kingdom in its submission to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms, and if not, which transfers are not so detailed, and why not.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The UN Register of Conventional Arms covers transfers of major offensive weapons as listed below:

• Battle tanks;
• Armoured combat vehicles;
• Large calibre artillery systems;
• Combat aircraft;
• Attack helicopters;
• Warships;
• Missiles and missile launchers

We have submitted full returns to the Register for 1992, 1993 and 1994. Copies of these returns have been placed in the Libraries of the House. A return will shortly be submitted to the UN for 1995.

The UK regards a-transfer as having taken place when the importing country has title and control of the equipment. Only complete systems are included. We do not submit data on spares, maintenance equipment or other supporting items. Similarly, equipment transferred to museums, for trial purposes, or transferred following refurbishment, repair or testing in the UK is not included.