HC Deb 15 July 1997 vol 298 cc132-3W
Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the(a) number and (b) export licence categories of open individual export licences granted to Procurement Services International which are currently valid indicating how long each licence will be in operation. [3689]

Mrs. Roche

Procurement Services International has no current Open Individual Export Licences.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) if she will list the(a) amounts, (b) export licence category, (c) countries and (d) security forces of destination since 1988 of (i) general purpose machine guns, (ii) sub-machine guns and (iii) other automatic weapons; [3696]

(2) if she will list the number and categories of export licences granted to British companies since 1988 for the export of (a) general purpose machine guns, (b) sub-machine guns and (c) other automatic weapons. [3437]

Mrs. Roche

General purpose machine guns, sub-machine guns and other automatic weapons are controlled under categories ML1, ML2 or PL5018 of the Export of Goods (Control) Order. An initial search of records shows around 8.000 licences issued under these categories by the previous Government. Details could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mrs. Clwyd

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the(a) number and (b) export licence categories of open general export licences granted to (i) Greys Defence Systems and (ii) Procurement Services International which are currently valid, indicating how long each licence will be in operation. [3694]

Mrs. Roche

Open General Export Licences, (OGELs) are not issued to specific exporters. They can be used by any exporter provided, in most cases, they register with my Department. There are currently 21 OGELs in force, for which registration is required for 14. Neither Greys Defence Systems nor Procurement Services International are registered to use any OGEL. OGELs remain in force until they are revoked.