Arms Exports (Hansard, 19 January 2000)

§ 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. Weapons silencers are controlled under entries ML1, ML2, ML6 and PL5018 in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, commonly known as the Military List.

As regards export licences granted for the export of weapons silencers to Turkey between 2 May 1997 and 31 December 1998, details of export licensing decisions in this period were set out in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls, published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; copies are in the Library of the House. As regards licences granted since 1 January 1999, the Export Control Organisation's computer databases have been interrogated. Between 1 January 1999 and 3 January 2000, 21 Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and no Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued for the export of goods with a relevant rating to consignees or end users in Turkey. The paper records of the 21 SIELs have been examined and none covered the export of weapons silencers.

As regards export licences granted to Law Enforcement International Limited for the export of weapons silencers, inquiries are being made under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Where confidential information is involved, the parties concerned may be asked if they object to disclosure, and this can 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.

This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307–08W.