§ Mrs. MayTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many export licence applications are outstanding; and how many have been outstanding for more than(a) one month, (b) three months and (c) more than three months. [16320]
§ Mrs. RocheAt 18 November, a decision had not yet been taken on 2,306 applications for new individual export licences received since 2 May 1997. These are broken down as follows:
Applications received between 2 May 1997 and 17 August 1997 Applications received between 18 August 1997and 17 October 1997 Applications received between 18 October 1997and 18 November 1997 Standard individual export licences 447 835 869 Open individual export licences 75 54 26 However, this information should be considered in the light of my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 256–58.