§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether their representatives abroad are expected to promote exports of harmful products such as cigarettes and small arms, as well as beneficial and useful ones. [HL922]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Simon of Highbury)Representatives of Her Majesty's Government abroad assist UK companies in promoting the export of a range of legitimate goods and services from the UK. In light of the Government's recent White Paper on tobacco, guidelines will be sent to diplomatic posts restricting their involvement in he advertising and promotion of tobacco products. The export of controlled defence equipment, such as small arms, from the UK requires an export licence. Licence applications are assessed in line with the UK's national criteria and eh criteria in the EU Code of Conduct of Arms Exports. All diplomatic posts are aware of these criteria.