HL Deb 21 January 1997 vol 577 cc50-1WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking on the findings of the interdepartmental committee established to examine the alleged export of arms from the United Kingdom to the Great Lakes Region of Africa; and

What is the outcome of their inquiry into the allegations that a British firm improperly exported arms to the Great Lakes region of Africa, and what action they are taking.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

Following media reports linking British companies to the supply of arms in contravention of UN embargoes to Rwandan extremists in Zaire, the Government announced on 19th November that they had established an interdepartmental committee to examine rigorously the UK's procedures in relation to trafficking in arms and to determine whether there had been a gap in controls, and if so what action needed to be taken. The committee's terms of reference were given to the House in a Written Answer from the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on 11th December.

The committee's report was submitted on 17th December. It notes that Customs investigators are seeking to establish whether there have been any illegal acts coming within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction. It would not be appropriate to comment further on Customs and Excise investigations at this stage.

The UN arms embargo on Rwanda was not implemented in the Crown dependencies, and there was also a delay in its implementation in the dependent territories. The gap in controls, which the report notes was a narrow one, has already been put right as recommended by the committee. Consideration is also being given to whether the precise terms of the existing Orders in Council implementing the UN arms embargo against Rwanda are adequate.

The committee reached four main conclusions. First, that there had been a lack of consistency in implementing embargoes in the UK, its dependent territories, and the Crown dependencies. Second, that there were no structured arrangements for ensuring the timely and accurate imposition of embargoes. Third, there was a need for greater clarity and transparency on the scope of the embargoes. And finally, under current UK legislation, trafficking could only be prohibited in relation to binding UN arms embargoes.

The committee recommended that:

  1. (a) The UN arms embargoes against Rwanda, Somalia and Liberia should be implemented in the Crown dependencies as soon as possible. The necessary orders were made on 19th December.
  2. (b) All future binding UN arms embargoes should be applied promptly in the UK and in Crown dependencies and the dependent territories, in accordance with HMG's international obligations.
  3. (c) As a matter of policy, all other arms embargoes should be applied promptly in the UK, the Crown dependencies and the dependent territories, in consultation with the dependent territories concerned.
  4. (d) An interdepartmental committee, chaired by the cabinet office, should co-ordinate the introduction, application, amendment and lifting of all arms embargoes, including their scope and announcement.
  5. (e) This committee should also consider the preparation of a public document, which would set out the basis and scope of all current arms embargoes and which would be kept up-to-date.
  6. (f) It should be determined, as a matter or priority, whether the precise terms of the Orders in Council implementing the UN arms embargo against Rwanda are adequate and any necessary remedial action taken.
  7. (g) A considered assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of primary legislation to prohibit arms trafficking, taking account of the factors identified in this report, should be conducted as part of the current Government review of strategic export controls.

The Government have endorsed the committee's report, a copy of which has been placed in the Libraries of the House, and will be implementing its recommendations.