HC Deb 26 March 1996 vol 274 cc469-70W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the President of the Board Trade if he will list, by year, country and export classification, the number of waivers used Customs and Excise with respect to the export of military equipment. [19241]

Mr. Oppenheim

This information was not collated centrally by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

Mr. Smith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what monitoring is done to ensure that goods leaving the United Kingdom on temporary export licences are returned to the UK; and if he will list those occasions since 1990 when goods exported on temporary licences have not been returned. [19249]

Mr. Oppenheim

Export licences granted for the temporary export of goods are valid for a period of 12 months, which may be extended in certain circumstances. If notification of return of goods is not received by due date, the matter is taken up immediately with the consignor. There are occasions when goods licensed for temporary export are legitimately retained overseas on a permanent basis after due consideration by my Department.

The second part of this question could be answered only at disproportionate cost.