HC Deb 22 April 1998 vol 310 c644W
Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, North (Mr. Rapson) of 28 July 1997,Official Report, columns 65–66, what action has been taken to encourage EU member states to ban the export of electro-shock weapons, with particular reference to batons. [39266]

Mr. Fatchett

We have had discussions with EU partners, including gathering information on their own controls in this area. We will continue to work to fulfil the commitment given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to monitor whether British companies are manufacturing electro-shock equipment in other countries to export them to third countries. [39228]

Mr. Fatchett

There is no monitoring mechanism at present. We have no information that British companies are manufacturing electro-shock equipment in other countries to export them to third countries. If we were to obtain information that this was happening, we would investigate fully.