§ Dr. LadymanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what his estimate is of the current time 217W taken by his Department in considering export licences for goods with a possible military application; and what steps he is taking to speed the process up; [82439]
(2) in each of the last five years for which he has figures, (a) how many applications for export licences for goods with a possible military application his Department has considered and (b) what the average time was for considering each application. [82440]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated and the following results were obtained for applications:
Year Standard or Open Individual Export Licences were received 1994 17,187 1995 15,247 1996 14,153 1997 12,679 1998 11,799 This information should be considered in light of the answer given by the then Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche) to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint) on 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.
As regards the average time for considering an application I refer my hon. Friend to my answer given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 22 February 1999, Official Report, column 87.
Finally, on 1 March 1999 the Export Control Organisation introduced the new ELATE database for Standard Individual Export Licence applications which should, among other advantages, improve the exchange of licensing information between Departments and is intended to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the licensing process.
§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) of 1 February 1999,Official Report, columns 501–03, if he will provide a detailed description of the military equipment licensed for export to Indonesia between 10 May 1998 and 31 December 1998 under ratings (a) ML4, (b) ML5, (c) ML6, (d) ML9, (e) ML10, (f) ML11, (g) ML14, (h) ML15, (i) ML21, (j) ML22 and (k) PL5017. [83024]
§ Dr. HowellsInquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. As confidential information is involved, the parties concerned will be asked if they consent to its disclosure and this may take some time. I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible and place a copy of that letter in the Library of the House.