§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to increase international transparency in respect of conventional arms and their technologies and components. [5995]
§ Mr. David Davis[holding answer 26 November 1996]We continue to play a full and active role in promoting greater transparency in respect of the transfer of conventional arms and their technologies and components. To this end, we continue to support the work 291W and further development of the UN register of conventional arms, which was established in 1991 at the initiative of the Prime Minister. We shall also continue to submit full and timely returns, including information on military holdings and national procurement, to the register and expect to send a national representative to the UN group of governmental experts which is expected to meet in March 1997 to discuss its further development.
We also welcome the formal launch of the Wassenaar arrangement in July 1996. The United Kingdom participated actively in the negotiations to establish this arrangement, which aims to promote transparency and greater responsibility in the transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. We shall continue to work for the future success of the arrangement.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to co-ordinate efforts with members of the EU, the Wassenaar arrangement and the UN Security Council to pursue and prosecute companies and individuals who traffic arms in contravention of internationally agreed embargoes. [6006]
§ Mr. DavisIt is the responsibility of individual states to ensure that they implement fully all internationally agreed embargoes to which they are committed. The United Kingdom will continue to fulfil its obligations in this regard, in co-operation with other interested parties as appropriate.
An interdepartmental committee established on 19 November 1996 will examine rigorously procedures in relation to the trafficking of arms and determine whether there has been a gap in our controls and if so what action needs to be taken. It will report within one month, and Ministers will report its conclusions to the House.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that there are effective sanctions and monitoring of controls on arms exports to countries violating human rights. [5878]
§ Mr. DavisAll export licence applications for arms are considered on a case-by-case basis in the light of the established international criteria to which we are committed. These require us, inter alia, to take into account the respect of human rights in the country of final destination. We do not export equipment we consider likely to be used for internal repression.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will urge those countries that are the source of illegal arms shipments to strengthen and improve their export and customs controls. [6007]
§ Mr. DavisWe fully support greater responsibility in the transfer of arms and military goods and regularly raise any concerns we might have with the countries concerned. It is the responsibility of the exporting country to introduce and enforce effective controls on the export of arms.
We also have regular exchanges with those countries which are making efforts to improve their export control and enforcement procedures.
292WWe are also active participants in the Wassenaar arrangement—aimed at promoting transparency and greater responsibility—in the transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies as well as several supplier regimes—aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction—and urge other countries to show similar responsibility in their exports of defence equipment.