§ Dr. TongeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, pursuant to her answer of 15 June 1998,Official Report, column 103, what discussions her Department has had with the Department for International Development concerning the illegal manufacture of, and trafficking in, firearms. [48926]
§ Mrs. Roche[holding answer 3 July 1998]: None. The Department of Trade and Industry contributes to the work of the G8 Lyons firearms sub-group, but is not in the lead. The Home Office is responsible for co-ordinating the interests of the many departments involved. I understand that the Department for International Development has not been involved in the discussions relating to the G8 Lyons firearms sub-group, which focuses on control and enforcement measures such as working on the establishment in law of relevant offences relating to the illegal manufacture of firearms, the licensing regimes for imports and exports, and practical co-operation between enforcement agencies.
I understand that the Department for International Development is supporting a number of initiatives that help countries and regions deal with the problem of illicit trafficking. Earlier this year funds were provided to host a seminar in South Africa which brought together experts from Europe and Southern Africa, and drew up an action plan for tackling arms proliferation in the region. Funds have also been pledged in support of the moratorium on the import, export, and manufacture of small arms for West Africa proposed by Mali.