HC Deb 04 November 1999 vol 337 cc282-3W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licence applications have been referred to a interdepartmental committee for discussion or advice in each of the last six months; how many have been (a) granted and (b) refused; and what have been the (i) average, (ii) shortest and (iii) longest times between referral and decision. [96480]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: Extracting all of the information requested would involve disproportionate cost. However, in respect of Iran over the six month period 1 April 1999 to 30 September 1999, 53 export licences have been issued and seven applications refused. All of these have been considered by the relevant interdepartmental committee.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates the interdepartmental committee on export licensing will meet within the next month; what is the normal frequency of meetings; and what arrangements are in place to process urgent applications quickly. [96482]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 28 October 1999]: The next meeting of the relevant interdepartmental committee on export licence applications for Iran is scheduled for 9 November 1999. This committee meets once a month. All applications are dealt with case by case and within a time scale which allows for proper consideration.

Ann Clwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in his Department in examining arms export licence applications. [97062]

Dr. Howells

[holding answer 2 November 1999]: Strategic export controls, including for goods entered in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 (known as the Military List) are administered by the Export Control Organisation (ECO), part of the DTI's Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP). Most ECO staff may, for various reasons, be required to examine licence applications for goods on the Military List. The ECO staff complement in 1999–2000 is 135.8 staff; the actual number in post at any one time may vary slightly from this figure.