§ 13. Mr. MullinTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has for greater transparency regarding arms sales; and if she will make a statement. [49384]
§ Mrs. RocheThe Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), said in a written reply on 14 July 1998,Official Report, column 149, that the Government are preparing a report on UK strategic export controls which will include an account of the moves we have made since 2 May 1997 towards a responsible UK and European arms export policy; which will list by country of destination the numbers of export licences issued in each equipment category and give details of the military equipment for which licences have been granted; and which will set out the value of defence exports to each country.
This reflects HMG's commitment to increase the transparency and accountability of the decisions on export licences for arms.