Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish the numbers of weapons and items of equipment being exported from the United Kingdom in the next Annual report on Strategic Export Controls on a country by country basis; and if he will make a statement. [115425]
§ Mr. HoonThe Government will continue publishing details of weapons and equipment exported in the Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls using information obtained from the United Nations Conventional Arms Register and HM Customs and Excise. The Government are committed to strengthening the Arms Register and also to achieving greater international transparency in the sales overseas of major defence systems. Information relating to the two previous years is contained in Part III of the 1997 and 1998 Reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. It is planned to publish the 1999 Report later this year.