RDX Explosives (Hansard, 26 May 1999)

§ Dr. Howells

The entry in the legislation under which the export of goods is controlled is known as their rating and most ratings cover a range of goods. RDX in its raw form is controlled under entry ML8 in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended, commonly known as the Military List.

The Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated, and the following results obtained. As of 6 May 1999, 27 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) are recorded as having been issued since 1 September 1998 for the export of goods with the rating ML8. The paper records of these licences have been examined; 2 SIELs covered the export of RDX in its raw form. Since 1 September 1998, no Open Individual Export Licences have been issued for the export of such goods.

Number of Standard Individual Export Licences covering the export of RDX in its raw form

Destination	Number
Belgium	1
Kuwait	1

At 6 May 1999, decisions had not yet been taken on 10 applications for SIELs to export goods rated ML8. The paper records for these applications have been examined, and seven covered RDX in its raw form: 4 covering exports to the USA, 1 covering exports to China, 1 covering exports to Japan and 1 covering exports to the Irish Republic. There are no pending applications for OIELs covering goods with the rating ML8.

This information should be considered in light of the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Mrs. Roche), to my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint), 30 October 1997, Official Report, columns 870–71.

All applications for licences to export goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 are assessed against the criteria announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 28 July 1997, Official Report, columns 26–29, and the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports.